This month, law enforcement in Douglas County shut down five illegal cannabis operations, including two of the largest sites ever seen in the county.
According to the Douglas Interagency Narcotics Team, or DINT, more than 220,000 cannabis plants were seized from two sites in Dillard. The other locations — in Azalea, Yoncalla, and Oakland — netted nearly 12,000 more, plus nearly 800 pounds of processed cannabis and edibles.
DINT said these illegal sites violate local laws and often cause ecological damage by using banned chemicals and overusing unpermitted water, straining the local water supply. Investigators have also uncovered dangerous working conditions and human trafficking.
Black market cannabis is sold in Oregon and shipped across the country and the world. Many sites are run by foreign organized crime rings. DINT said it’s found operations managed by groups from China, Russia, Mexico, Laos, and other places.
Eight people were arrested in this month’s searches. Investigations are ongoing, and more arrests are expected.
