Officers seize marijuana plants from suspected illegal grow operation near Junction City

The Lane County Sheriff's Office seized close to 9,000 marijuana plants from a suspected illegal large-scale growing operation west of Junction City on Wednesday.

Deputies and officials from several law enforcement agencies helped execute the search warrant in the 26000 block of High Pass Road just after 7 a.m. Wednesday, according to a news release from Sgt. Thomas Speldrich. The officers found around 32 greenhouses being used to cultivate marijuana plants at different stages of maturity, the release said.

In total 8,716 illegal marijuana plants were seized and destroyed.

Several migrant workers believed to be trafficking victims were found on-site and were living in "deplorable and unsanitary conditions" in the nearby forests, Speldrich said. The workers were detained, interviewed and released after being provided with information regarding local support services available, Speldrich said.

A 27-year-old man was located nearby who Speldrich said is believed to have been in charge of the operation. He was charged with illegal marijuana manufacturing, and had a warrant for an unrelated offense in another county. Officers found evidence that the suspected illegal operation was funded and overseen by an organized crime group based in Mexico, Speldrich said.

Authorities are still investigating the environmental impact of the operation. Lane County code compliance officials noted the greenhouses, along with electrical and irrigation systems, were not permitted and contained "numerous" code violations, Speldrich said. The Oregon State Water Master’s office also responded to the scene and found unlawful water use at the site, which will also be followed up on, Speldrich said.

This article originally appeared on Register-Guard: Officers seize marijuana plants from grow site near Junction City