INVESTIGATION LEADS TO SEARCH WARRANT AND ARREST AT ILLEGAL MARIJUANA GROWING OPERATION

 Deschutes Co. Sheriff's Office

On March 23, 2021 Sheriff’s Office marijuana enforcement detectives from the Deschutes County Illegal Marijuana Enforcement (DCIME) team, with the assistance of DCSO SWAT, DCSO detectives, and Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) detectives served a search warrant in the 52000 block of Elderberry Ln. in La Pine.

DCIME detectives began an investigation in approximately March 2020 into Kirill Balayants for the illegal manufacture of marijuana at his residence. During the investigation detectives were able to gain information necessary for a search warrant of the property to look for evidence of the unlawful manufacture, delivery, and possession of marijuana.

Balayants is a registered grower for one person through the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program. Balayants is allowed to have six mature marijuana plants, and 12 immature plants. Detectives found 120 growing marijuana plants. He is also allowed to possess 32 ounces of flower/ dried marijuana (24 ounces OMMP and 8 ounces recreational). Balayants was in possession of approximately 704 ounces of flowered/dried marijuana. Balayants can possess 16 ounces of cannabinoid concentrates. Detectives found approximately 352 ounces of concentrates. He is also allowed to possess 16 ounces of solids/edibles. Detectives located approximately 128 ounces of solids/edibles.

Detectives also located an AR-15 style rifle in Balayants’ bedroom near his bed. Balayants is a convicted felon and not allowed to be in possession of firearms.

Balayants was taken into custody without incident and lodged in the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Jail on the above mentioned charges.

The Deschutes County Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Detectives (DCIMED’s) would like to thank the legal marijuana businesses within Deschutes County for their collaborative efforts in combating illegal marijuana operations. The knowledge the DCIMED’s received from focus groups confirms that illegal marijuana within Deschutes County is a major concern for the legal marijuana market, residents, and businesses in our community.  DCIMED’s take illegal grow operations seriously due to the unregulated amounts of pesticides, fungicides and chemical solvents that can be used to manufacture marijuana products.  In addition, DCIMED’s have discovered illegal marijuana grows that contained mold, spider mites and toxic/harmful chemicals that are unsafe for human consumption. The Sheriff’s Office DCIME detectives are funded by the Board of County Commissioners.

The Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office is a full service agency that oversees the adult jail, provides patrol, criminal investigations, civil process and search and rescue operations. Special units include SWAT, Marine Patrol, ATV Patrol, Forest Patrol, along with six K9 teams. Founded in 1916 and today led by your duly elected Sheriff L. Shane Nelson, the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office serves over 200,000 residents in Deschutes County. The agency has 259 authorized and funded personnel, which includes 191 sworn employees who provide services to the 3,055 square miles of Deschutes County.

Charges: Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana, Unlawful Possession of Marijuana, Unlawful Delivery of Marijuana, Unlawful Manufacture of a Controlled Substance (concentrates), Unlawful Delivery of a Controlled Substance (concentrates), Unlawful Possession of a Controlled Substance (concentrates), and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.