More Than 110,000 Illegal Marijuana Plants Seized in Multi-County Oregon Drug Operation

SALEM, Ore. — A three-day drug enforcement operation in Clackamas and Marion counties resulted in the seizure and destruction of more than 110,000 illegal marijuana plants and more than 81,000 pounds of bulk marijuana, authorities announced Friday.

The operation was conducted by the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Interagency Task Force and the Oregon State Police Drug Enforcement Section as part of an investigation into a suspected drug trafficking organization operating multiple illegal marijuana grows.

The investigations began separately after law enforcement received complaints from community members. Detectives with the Clackamas County task force and OSP eventually determined that the investigations involved the same suspects and combined their efforts.

Investigators obtained search warrants for six locations in Clackamas and Marion counties. During the operation, officers seized or destroyed:

• 110,437 illegal marijuana plants
• 81,460 pounds of bulk marijuana
• 86 firearms
• $11,500 in U.S. currency

Authorities estimated the seized marijuana had a value of approximately $20 million.

Jaimee Virrueta-Gomez, 35, of Gerber, California, was arrested and booked on charges of unlawful manufacture of a marijuana item and unlawful possession of a marijuana item.

The investigation remains ongoing, and additional charges are expected to be referred to the Marion County and Clackamas County district attorneys’ offices.

Workers Found Living in Dangerous Conditions

Investigators also encountered workers living and working at the marijuana grow sites in what authorities described as dangerous conditions. Some workers reportedly lacked adequate shelter, running water, plumbing and electricity.

Investigators are working to determine whether any of the workers were brought to the sites through force, fraud or coercion.

Law enforcement requested crisis response and victim-support services at several locations. Safety Compass, the Anti-Trafficking Project, a program of J Bar J, and the Cannabis Workers Resilience Partnership provided assistance.

Victim advocates offered crisis intervention, safety planning, food and water, emergency transportation, shelter and housing connections, and referrals for legal services. Safety Compass provided confidential advocacy at each location.

In all, 55 workers were offered services and follow-up support during the operation.

Environmental Violations Investigated

Several county and state agencies also assisted with investigations into potential environmental crimes connected to the illegal grows. Those investigations included concerns involving water use, pesticide and fertilizer runoff, and unlawful disposal of solid waste.

The operation involved numerous local, state and federal agencies, including the Clackamas County and Marion County district attorneys’ offices, the Westside Interagency Narcotics team, Rogue Area Drug Enforcement team, Douglas County Interagency Narcotics Team, Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement team, Port of Portland Police, FBI and Drug Enforcement Administration.

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Interagency Task Force and OSP Drug Enforcement Section receive support from the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area program, which provides funding and coordination for multi-agency drug enforcement efforts.

Authorities said the Clackamas County task force and OSP’s Domestic Highway Enforcement team work across jurisdictions to identify, disrupt and dismantle local, multi-state and international drug trafficking organizations.

The Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Interagency Task Force includes personnel from the Canby Police Department, Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, FBI and Oregon National Guard Counterdrug Task Force. The task force is supported by the Clackamas County Public Safety Levy.

Safety Compass, the Cannabis Workers Resilience Partnership and the Anti-Trafficking Project receive partial funding through the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission’s Illegal Marijuana Market Enforcement Grant Program.