2 people arrested in DCSO raid on illegal marijuana grow in Redmond; Firefighters extinguish burning compost piles

400 plants, 2 rifles, money seized; electrical, health hazards detected including black mold, septic leak

REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) – A raid last week at an illegal marijuana grow operation in Redmond led to two arrests, the discovery of electrical and health hazards and a call to the fire department when large piles of compost began to burn in windy conditions, threatening to spark a wildfire, Deschutes County sheriff's deputies said Tuesday.

After a long-term investigation, detectives with DCSO's Illegal Marijuana Market Team executed a search warrant around 7 a.m. last Wednesday at a property in the 8000 block of Yucca Avenue, said sheriff's Sgt. Jason Wall.

The team seized more than 400 illegal marijuana plants grown in a 4,700-square-foot store on a 40-acre parcel, Wall said. Two firearms and a large sum of money were also seized.

“This investigation led detectives to believe that the marijuana was grown for the purpose of distribution on the black market outside of the state,” Sgt. said in a news release.

During the raid, unauthorized electrical hazards, “including unsafe building modifications,” were discovered at the site, Wall said, along with black mold and a leaking septic tank.

“While investigators were on scene, wind speeds exceeded nearly 30 mph, large piles of compost from marijuana disposal on the property began to burn, resulting in a fire hazard to surrounding properties “Wall wrote. “Redmond Fire responded to the scene to extinguish the compost piles to prevent a possible wildfire.”

Two Redmond men, ages 68 and 37, were arrested during the raid on charges of unlawful manufacturing of a marijuana article, a class B misdemeanor. Wall said they were taken to the county jail of Bend; a prison spokeswoman said they were both released to a responsible third party about an hour after their arrival, pending a June 20 court date.

Court records Tuesday showed no formal charges had been filed. District Attorney Steve Gunnels told NewsChannel 21 they have the case reports, but likely won't file charges until both men appear in court.

NewsChannel 21's policy is not to name those arrested until there are formal charges.

Wall added, “The Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Illegal Marijuana Market Team would like to thank the following agencies who helped dismantle this large illegal drug operation: Deschutes County Sheriff's Office (SWAT) , Deschutes County Sheriff's Office Detective Division, Central Oregon Drug Enforcement, Drug Enforcement. Administration, Oregon State Police, Bend City Police Department, Redmond Police Department, Redmond Fire and Rescue, Oregon Army National Guard, Emergency Response Team Central Oregon Emergency, Lane County Sheriff's Office SWAT, Deschutes County Code Enforcement and Central Oregon Water Resources.