30-day investigation nets over 8,000 pounds of pot
JOSEPHINE COUNTY, Ore. -- Law enforcement officials say over 250 pounds of marijuana were seized on Tuesday alone, after a month-long investigation into several people associated with the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program.
Authorities say the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement Team (RADE) made three arrests on Tuesday, following a total of 26 people who were either arrested or have charges pending.
In all, officials say 930 pounds of marijuana bud, over 7,500 pounds of wet plants and user amounts of meth and heroin were all taken as evidence in the operation.
Here is the press release from the Oregon State Police:
Investigations conducted during the last 30 days by the interagency Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE) team shows the team was inundated with a variety of cases, the majority involving marijuana. Due to the nature of the investigations and the cultural closeness of those involved in the unlawful manufacture and distribution of marijuana in Josephine County, RADE is now able to provide some information for these case investigations including the most recent investigation that led to three arrests Tuesday and the seizure of over 250 pounds of marijuana.
Oregon State Police (OSP) Sergeant Jim Johnson said RADE opened seventeen cases during this time for which 26 people were either arrested or have charges pending. Because a number of the cases are submitted to the Josephine County District Attorney's Office for potential charges toward additional suspects, not all of the mentioned cases list names of persons related to the investigations.
According to Johnson, the majority of the cases involved individuals associated with the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) and focused on growing or possessing significantly more marijuana than allowed under the program. Additionally, several other cases investigated revealed growers illegally distributing marijuana to people other than OMMP patients for profit, locally and outside the State of Oregon. Wholesale marijuana prices in Josephine County commonly range from $1,200 to $1,500 per pound.
The most recent investigation led to a search warrant being served November 13, 2012 by RADE detectives and Oregon State Police (OSP) SWAT team on three Williams-area residences in the 1400 block of Rock Creek Road. Detectives seized approximately 252 pounds of packaged and unpackaged marijuana, methamphetamine, 14 firearms, a ballistic vest, surveillance equipment, and other evidence. Subsequent to this investigation, RADE detectives cited and released ED LINEBAUGH, age 57, GRADY HANING, age 32, and ANDREW HANING, age 30, on drug-related charges.
Including the above-mentioned case, during the 30-day period RADE investigations led to the seizure of:
- 930 pounds of marijuana bud
- Over 7,500 pounds of wet marijuana plant weight from 279 mature marijuana plants
- User amounts of methamphetamine, heroin, and Percocet tablets
- Hundreds of pounds of additional marijuana either drying or considered "shake"
- 120 firearms
The following are brief reviews of these cases:
On October 16, 2012, RADE Detectives contacted a Grants Pass-area residence in the 1800 block of Cloverlawn Drive that resulted in the seizure of 38 marijuana plants, 6 pounds of marijuana bud, US Currency and 2 firearms. The investigation is ongoing.
On October 16, 2012, RADE detectives arrested KURT TRUJILLO, age 24, after he delivered Percocet tablets to detectives posing as buyers in Grants Pass. TRUJILLO was lodged in the Josephine County Jail. Two people who arrived with TRUJILLO were found to be in possession of heroin and Vicodin. The investigation is ongoing.
On October 16, 2012, RADE detectives contacted two people delivering Percocet tablets to detectives posing as buyers. The investigation is ongoing.
On October 16, 2012, RADE detectives contacted JOSE MARROQUIN, age 36, when he delivered one-half pound of marijuana to detectives posing as buyers. Approximately 14 more pounds of marijuana and a firearm were also seized from his Grants Pass-area residence. MARROQUIN was cited and release on drug-related charges.
On October 16, 2012, RADE detectives contacted two people delivering one-half pound of marijuana to detectives posing as buyers. They were also in possession of heroin. The investigation is ongoing.
On October 20, 2012, RADE detectives arrested BILL BASKINS JR, age 55, on Fir Drive in Cave Junction and arrested him on an outstanding federal warrant stemming from his arrest in Arkansas where he was found to be in possession of over 240 pounds of marijuana. After taking him into custody, detectives seized approximately five pounds of marijuana bud, US Currency, a firearm and other items of evidence from his residence.
On October 20, 2012, RADE detectives served a search warrant on 5000 block of Holland Loop Road in Cave Junction that resulted in the arrest of DENISE ENGERBRETSON, age 52. Detectives seized 12 marijuana plants, 11 pounds of marijuana bud, US Currency and 2 firearms.
On October 23, 2012, RADE detectives assisted OSP Patrol Division troopers with an investigation that resulted in the seizure of 8 pounds of marijuana after a RADE detective obtained and executed a search warrant on a vehicle a trooper had stopped. The investigation is ongoing.
On October 24, 2012, RADE detectives contacted a residence in the 3300 block of Camp Joy Road in Merlin, after they observed marijuana hanging in the living room. Nine marijuana plants, over 14 pounds of marijuana bud, approximately 200 pounds of marijuana, and three guns (one stolen out of Josephine County) was seized. TERRY KOVACHY, age 45, and JIM RADCLIFE, age 47, were cited and released on drug related charges.
On October 24, 2012, RADE detectives contacted a Merlin-area residence in the 300 block of Connie Lane after obtaining information during another investigation. Detectives seized more than 43 pounds of marijuana bud, over 53 pounds of marijuana, ten firearms, US Currency and approximately 5000 pounds of marijuana from thirty-two mature marijuana plants, some of which were 15 feet tall. Detectives had to use a large dump truck to transport the marijuana. MARSHAL JONES, age 60, was cited and released on drug related charges.
On October 25, 2012, RADE detectives contacted a residence in the 1400 block of Wilderville Lane in Grants Pass after obtaining pertinent information during another investigation. When detectives arrived on the property they contacted 15 "trimmers", mostly out of state residents. The property had a large bunk house, trim room and was set up as a commercial growing operation. Detectives seized over 128 pounds of packaged marijuana bud, 150 pounds of dry marijuana bud, 300 pounds of drying marijuana, 97 mature marijuana plants with a gross weight of approximately 1875 pounds, 44 immature marijuana plants, ten firearms, and other items of evidence. A dump truck was used to transport the marijuana. BEAU RILLO, age 35, was cited and released on drug-related charges.
On October 25, 2012, RADE detectives contacted a residence in the 100 block of Hogue Drive in Wilderville and seized 13 pounds of drying marijuana bud, two handguns, methampetamine, and a very small amount of red phosperous (used in the production of methamphetamine). MIKE MARTINO, age 32, was arrested and lodged on an outstanding warrant and local charges of Unlawful Possession and Manufacture of Marijuana, Unlawful Possession of Methampetamine, Unlawful Possession of Red Phosphorus, and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.
On October 25, 2012, RADE detectives conducted an investigation at a residence in the 1000 block of Ingalls Lane in Wilderville that resulted in the seizure of 2 pounds of marijuana bud, 22 marijuana plants weighing approximately 625 pounds and one firearm. The investigation is ongoing.
On October 26, 2012, RADE detectives served a search warrant in the 900 block of Reeves Creek in Selma that resulted in the seizure of 32 marijuana plants, 107 pounds of marijuana bud, 36 pounds of pounds of drying marijuana bud, 80 pounds of marijuana bud on stems, and 66 firearms. Detectives arrested RAYMOND BEAIRSTO, age 54. A second person identified as KARA BEAIRSTO, age 50, was also subsequently arrested and charged with various narcotics offenses.
On October 26, 2012, RADE detectives served a search warrant in the 2000 block of Chapman Road in Cave Junction that resulted in the seizure of 14 pounds of marijuana bud, 37 marijuana plants and two firearms. The investigation is ongoing.
On November 7, 2012,RADE detectives served a search warrant in the Cave Junction-area in the 5000 block of Caves Highway where they seized 138 pounds of marijuana bud, approximately 300 pounds of marijuana, six firearms, US Currency and other items of evidence. JON EBLING, age 57 and SAM AUSTIN, age 27, were arrested and lodged in the Josephine County Jail on numerous drug-related charges.
"Growers are growing plants that produce usable quantities of marijuana 'bud' that far exceeds the weights permitted by OMMP and is being distributed nationwide for huge profits," said Johnson.
Johnson pointed out that it would be nearly impossible to conduct the majority of RADE's enforcement work without the help of personnel from the Grants Pass Department of Safety's Criminal Division and their evidence section; members of the Oregon State Police Patrol Services Division, Criminal Investigation Division, and High Intensity Traffic (HIT) team. Additionally, personnel from Josephine County Community Corrections, DEA, ICE, ATF, MADGE, Josephine County District Attorney's Office, Josephine County Sheriff's Office, and Jackson County Sheriff's Office have also contributed occasional resources and / or manpower to assist RADE with their operations.
Anyone with information regarding suspicious drug activity or marijuana growing operations is encouraged to call the RADE tip line at (541) 955-6970.
The interagency RADE team is comprised of personnel from Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, Oregon State Police, Josephine County District Attorney's Office and Josephine County Community Corrections.
Looks like the narco-trafficking mafia cops they just scored a bunch of black market merchandise to traffick!! Â Awesome, now they will be able to afford those new X12 and LRADs they always wanted!! Torture happy mafia thugs masquerading as law enforcement. Just a bunch of unionized criminals hiding behind the shell of the state to do their illegal business. Of course they hate competition.
Let me guess Quasimodo, you like to get drunk, drive around, and beat your wife. Â You think this is perfectly acceptable because alcohol, the most dangerous drug, is legal. Â Potheads are harmless. Â Wouldn't it be great if OSP was out looking for Kyron Horman instead of wasting their time on this
 930 pounds X 100 = 93,000 potential tax dollars. Wonder how much tax dollars were used to bust these folks.  I find it sad that growing some plants is bad, yet borrowing hundreds of billions of dollars from China to bomb people in the middle east is "patriotic"..  Um.. something is really wrong here I think.Â
way to go osp I hope they nail every dope dealer they can. pretending to be a medical marijuana user and grower when your jsut skirting the law thru a loop hole should gain ya life in prison. I cracks me up the people that say they use it medicinally when the truth is they are jsut potheads and dope dealer. every single person out there that does use it legitimately for medical purposes should be outraged at the people thumbing their nose at the laws and saying its medicinal when they are nothing more then common criminals. you expect people to accept it as medicinal and believe thats why you use it that your not really just another dope head then police your own ranks. turn in every dope dealer you see and then I will believe your using it medicinally.
 @quasimodo tell me who pays for life in prison? Oh yeah, us taxpayers on the outside!
Lets use some brains, quasimodo, and only cage the people who act like dangerous animals.
I don't know about you, but I cant afford to incarcerate 30% of my neighbors.
@quasimodo Please tell us how you really feel? =)
 @quasimodo Well, it's a good thing you're just all up in arms about the lying because, whew... I'm just a recreational user. :) No OMMP card.Â
now thats not going to help the cause .....man thats a lot of bud....WHY...can't i smoke'em =))
Wow..look at all those buds...that makes me miss the days when I smoked pot...sad to see people abusing the laws that are in place..like it or not, the law is the law.
 @PEANUT The law doesn't make something right or wrong.
@PleaseBeSmart @PEANUT You are right, the law does not make it right or wrong, but it is the law and should be obeyed until changed. Work to change the law, don't keep breaking it.
@PleaseBeSmart Sounds like we agree on more than we disagree when it comes to drugs. I am not going to tell anyone what to do, or what to take, unless it affects me or someone else. Personally I don't like any drugs, prescription or otherwise. I don't like smoking or alcohol. I get my highs and relaxation from the beauty of nature. If I am feeling down a walk in the woods or on the beach fixes me right up. I don't want anything to ever cloud my mind. We get such a short time on this earth, and I want to realize every second of it. Have a great day!
 @Michael McFadden I can agree with your points, but no name calling okay? And you're assuming an awful lot about souptonuts.Â
 @souptonuts Now that I can agree with... if you're on dangerous drugs, stay in your own home and have someone look after you. And no, they shouldn't collect disability should they screw themselves up. Our definition of "dangerous drugs" probably varies a bit though.
 @souptonuts There are plenty of drugs that don't make an individual a threat, so what do you say about those? There are plenty that do, and yes, I wouldn't like to be around people who are on them. I just think it has to be combated through education, not prohibition. What we have going on clearly isn't working.
@Michael McFadden @PleaseBeSmart You either do not read well, or do not comprehend what you read. Did I mention anything about any specific drug?, Huh? If you use anything that alters your state of mind I don't want you out in public, on the road or anywhere else. If you want to fry your brain some more, do it in the safety of your home where someone can monitor your well being. Please do  not become disabled as a result of what you put in your body so the tax payer is not burdened by your irresponsibility. Try to refrain from calling names it says a lot about who you are. You are absolutely correct about one thing, stick to clean water and a healthy diet with frequent exercise. It works for some of us in our 70's. Have a nice day. Incidently prescription drugs are some of the worst kind.
 @souptonuts  @PleaseBeSmart  @PEANUT yeah and certain people should have followed the jim crow laws to perdition. And women, they should have just accepted non-suffrage till their men felt like giving it to them. That is where your state worshipping zombie drone logic takes this to.
 @souptonuts  @PleaseBeSmart Guess all those people on all those legal pharmaceuticals need to be incarcerated too then, right?
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Have you zombified statist zealots ever even read a DSM? All that stuff the doctors push is just as mind altering...
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Best just to stick to clean water and a healthy diet with frequent exercise.
@PleaseBeSmart I totally agree with you if.... When you decide to put something into your body that lowers your inhibitions, alters your thought and awareness, changes your mood, affects your judgement, etc. etc. You should lock yourself in a room, put a chain and lock on, or do something else that keeps you away from everyone that you could potentially harm due to your altered state. If you do these things and don't ask for or seek help or assistance from the government after you have become disabled from your activities I say go for it. Otherwise obey the law.
 @souptonuts I agree with pretty much everything you said. I would simply argue that what an adult chooses to put in his or her own body is their business and no one else's, as far as the law goes. It's certainly not in the rightful domain of government. As for the name on the internet thing... it's a law that just about everyone breaks. You're not supposed to use aliases.Â
@PleaseBeSmart I think the line is where a sane, decent, humble, honorable person sees what is necessary for the continuation of a society that does not prey on others to further their own existence. A society that minds their own business and not that of someone else. I will be the first to admit that there are an enormous amount of unfair or unwanted laws, but how did they come about? I think they came about because there are just too many people that can't mind their own business. We have created a society of people who depend on others for their survival instead of depending on themselves. We have created a society that blames there problems on someone else rather than accept responsibility for their own actions. We have created a society of greed that wants something for nothing. Everytime something happens the first thing we hear is a cry for a new law. If the lawn mower is running, don't stick your hand in there to clean a clog of grass. Common sense is all it takes, common sense, and honor. The old hand shake that says my word is my bond and contract. You can count on it. As far as someone posting their actual name on the internet, I don't know why that would be necessary unless there would be an attempt to prevent fraud. Some people would be afraid of nut cases, etc.Â
 @souptonuts I'm not really trying to compare the two, I'm just trying to find out where you think the line is. Because there definitely is a line... there are some laws which, if enacted, should be resisted based on them being a violation of the Constitution. The thing is, LOTS of laws are a violation of the Constitution, including federal involvement in policing drugs. The Constitution lays out very specific powers for the federal level and everything else is outside of their legitimate constitutional boundaries. I'm just wondering where you think the line is... Should people use fake names online even though it is technically against the law? Should people have abstained from oral sex in the privacy of their own home when that was illegal? And lots of laws aren't direct violations of the Constitution, but I'd say are still not within any legitimate power of a government (like telling an adult what they can and cannot do with their own body, or with the body of another consensual adult, etc.) It's not at all about what laws people do and don't agree with... it's just about what laws our government should have the rightful power to make. I say anything outside of that should be resisted. There is even some leeway for that through jury nullification... juries can say that technically someone broke a law, but they shouldn't be punished in any way (because of the jury not agreeing with the law.) Oh, and in order for the government to take guns the Constitution wouldn't have to be changed at all... simply ignored. Afterall, we now live in an age where the POTUS puts hits on American citizens without due process.Â
@PleaseBeSmart Ok so tell me this. You have a hundred different people, who don't like a hundred different laws, so they just break the law because they don't like it or think it is not fair. What do we have then? Anarchy? To ban guns it will take a Constitutional Change.  That would probably be the very thing that would start another civil war in this country. I don't see how you can compare gun control to laws on marijauna. In order to maintain an orderly society we have to have truth and honor. That starts with each individual. Otherwise society will continue to decay. What will the outcome of that be???? I don't think there is anything in the Constitution about marijuana. Just a though, I am probably wrong as usual, but then I'm a dinosar.
 @souptonuts I completely disagree. Where is the line for that? Does it apply to protected rights? If guns are banned should we hand them over and hope the government will give them back after we work to change the law? If rights of speech and protest are limited, do we just start working within our new confines? Laws are only to be respected when the government has the rightful power to make them... not just dutiful obedience for the sake of being lawful. Do you sing "Happy Birthday" at parties outside of the privacy of your home? Do you use fake names online? There are plenty of laws and regulations that don't even deserve our respect.Â
More victims of the police state.
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 @SwiftlyJust  The government has no legitimate business policing drugs. So, yes... VICTIMS of our overreaching government. And I would bet money that you've broken plenty of laws you don't even know exist. We're pretty much all CRIMINALS under this system... most of us just don't get caught.
 @SwiftlyJust Drugs indirectly violate the rights/safety of others... not directly. Just as with alcohol... deaths from drunk driving, alcoholics abusing their spouse or kids, doing countless reckless and stupid things while drunk that results in injuries or death, neglecting responsibilities and children, all the horrible pain caused by diseases from alcoholism, etc. Alcohol is an indirect factor. And, just as with alcohol prohibition, organized crime has flourished with drug prohibition and had countless negative effects. None of those things were a legitimate reason for alcohol prohibition, and none of them are a legitimate reason for drug prohibition. It's simply not the government's place.
 @PleaseBeSmart Drugs don't directly violate the rights/safety of others? Really? I'm sure that you're aware of the hundreds of deaths each year linked directly to the drug trade. What about the children of the drug traders, drug users, drug addicts, drug manufacturers?  I WAS One of those children and believe me, MY rights were most definitely violated.Children all over the world are affected. They are used and enslaved to further the drug trade so that some junkie can stuff a little white powder up his nose and feel good for a few hours. There is a big difference between medical marijuana use and what we see here in this story.Â
 @drinkmorewater Let's see... well the government has the right to collect sales tax, and the federal level has the right to govern interstate commerce like it would with other goods. Law enforcement and the criminal justice system also has the right to keep drugs out of the hands of minors.Â
 @PleaseBeSmart  @SwiftlyJust who should police drugs?
 @SwiftlyJust Laws that directly violate the rights of others? Sure, but drugs don't fall into that. And I do like rules and laws as I'm not an anarchist.Â
 @PleaseBeSmart MOST of us aren't stupid enough to do things that are blatantly harmful to others though. Medical marijuana has it's place and is a great tool for those who need it. When idiots like this start mixing it up with meth, stolen guns and property and narcotics, it defeats the entire cause and destroys the hard work done by so many to get it legalized in the first place.Like it or not, society HAS to have rules and laws. I'm NOT a proponent on the government having any more control. So what other options do we have?
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@PleaseBeSmart @SwiftlyJust Here,Here=)