ARRESTS MADE FOR ABUSE OF MEDICAL MARIJUANA LAW

Police seized about 225 pounds of marijuana from three men who
allegedly grew and distributed more pot than is legally allowed under
the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program, police said.

The monthlong investigation started when authorities in Minnesota
called local police regarding a case that had ties to Southern Oregon.

On Dec. 17, an undercover officer bought 65 pounds of marijuana from
two people in a restaurant parking lot in Grants Pass. From
information gained from this buy, officers were able to obtain three
search warrants in Josephine and Jackson counties.

All three locations were reportedly tied to the Oregon Medical
Marijuana Program, Oregon State Police said in a news release.

The first house was in the [address redacted] in Williams.
Investigators allegedly found 11 pounds of marijuana in the home. In
addition, evidence associated with drug sales was seized. Arrested
was [name1 redacted], 46, on drug-related charges.

Police then searched two homes in the [address redacted] in
Jacksonville.

At one of the residences, officers seized 131 pounds of marijuana and
three firearms. Arrested was [name2 redacted], 49, on drug distribution
charges, OSP said.

At the second home on Eastside Road, which police described as a
"sophisticated indoor marijuana growing operation," police seized 48
mature plants, approximately 20 pounds of processed and packaged
marijuana, six firearms (including two assault rifles) and an
undisclosed amount of cash.

[name3 redacted], 26, was arrested while leaving the house. Police
alleged that he was carrying six ounces of marijuana and a firearm.

Police are anticipating additional arrests in association with the
homes on Eastside Road.

The pot seized during the investigation has an estimated street sale
value of $750,000, OSP said.

Oregon law limits medical marijuana growers to six mature plants, 18
seedlings and 24 ounces of usable marijuana per patient at any one
time. "Usable" refers to dried leaves and flowers with medicinal value.

"This is an excellent example of law enforcement agencies, inside and
outside Oregon, combining resources to aggressively identify and
arrest those responsible for the distribution of illegal narcotics
in our local communities," said OSP Sgt. Jim Johnson.

OSP was assisted in the case by the Medford Area Drug and Gang
Enforcement Team (MADGE), Grants Pass Department of Public Safety
detectives and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.