UPDATED PRESS RELEASE FOR ARRESTS MADE

Josephine Co. Sheriff's Office

As the investigation outlined below has progressed, Detectives from the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) made two arrests on August 25, 2021.  The following individuals were arrested on the following charges:

Rodriguez-Chavez, Julio 31-year-old male

Charges:  Warrant charging Unlawful Possession of Marijuana X6, Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana X4 and Criminal Forfeiture. 

Caron, Harvey 67-year-old male

Charges: Unlawful Possession of Marijuana X4 and Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana X4.    

Rodriguez-Chavez and Caron were both lodged at the Josephine County Jail.  As a result of the alleged criminal activity at the properties related to this case, forfeiture of the properties and other assets are being pursued.  The properties in question are located on Deer Creek Road, Lakeshore Drive, Dryden Lane, Patton Bar Road and Redwood Highway. 

 

ORIGINAL INCIDENT:

INCIDENT:  Illegal Marijuana Search Warrants

INCIDENT DATE:  June 17, 2021                 

DETAILS:

On June 17, 2021, search warrants were executed as part of an investigation of illegal marijuana grow operations in Selma and Cave Junction, Oregon.  Members of the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) served the search warrants in partnership with Oregon State Police, Grants Pass Department of Public Safety, Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (RADE, consisting of Grants Pass DPS, OSP and Josephine County Parole and Probation), Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET, consisting of Jackson County SO, Medford PD), Southwest Regional Marijuana Team from OSP, Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team (DINT), Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), Josephine County Code Enforcement and the Josephine County District Attorney’s Office.

In total, over 200,000 marijuana plants were seized and destroyed between six properties where search warrants were executed.  Numerous water pumps, generators trailers and a tractor were seized as instruments used in criminal conduct relating to the illegal growth of marijuana. 

Numerous subjects were detained and interviewed.  At the time of this press release no arrests have been made.  No further details are being released at this time.