Task Force Busts Black-Market Marijuana Grow Hidden In Pear Orchard, Uncovers 25K Plants, 16K Lbs. Cannabis; Suspect Arrested (Photo)
- 06/18/26
JCSO Case 26-2842
CENTRAL POINT, Ore. - Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives served a search warrant Tuesday, June 16 at a black-market cannabis grow in the 1000 block of Old Stage Road in rural Central Point. IMET detectives seized approximately 25,000 marijuana plants hidden in pear orchards, 16,000 lbs. of usable cannabis, and 1,470 plants in five “hoop-style” greenhouses.
IMET arrested one suspect in connection to the property. The suspect, Jorge Alexander Ruiz, 35, of Central Point, is charged with three felony counts of unlawful production, manufacture, and possession of a marijuana item.
There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling, or processing at this location. The farm applied for an Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) license for growing hemp while concealing cannabis starter plants in the pear orchard. IMET was assisted by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Basin Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (BINET), and Oregon State Police (OSP).
While regulatory agencies investigate permitted cannabis operations, IMET is focusing on the black-market marijuana trade in the Rogue Valley. IMET is a multi-agency task force funded by a grant from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. The task force includes personnel from JCSO, OSP, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.
Task Force Busts Black-Market Marijuana Grow Hidden In Pear Orchard, Uncovers 25K Plants, 16K Lbs. Cannabis; Suspect Arrested (Photo)
- 06/18/26
JCSO Case 26-2842
CENTRAL POINT, Ore. - Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) detectives served a search warrant Tuesday, June 16 at a black-market cannabis grow in the 1000 block of Old Stage Road in rural Central Point. IMET detectives seized approximately 25,000 marijuana plants hidden in pear orchards, 16,000 lbs. of usable cannabis, and 1,470 plants in five “hoop-style” greenhouses.
IMET arrested one suspect in connection to the property. The suspect, Jorge Alexander Ruiz, 35, of Central Point, is charged with three felony counts of unlawful production, manufacture, and possession of a marijuana item.
There was no licensing for any type of cannabis growing, handling, or processing at this location. The farm applied for an Oregon Department of Agriculture (ODA) license for growing hemp while concealing cannabis starter plants in the pear orchard. IMET was assisted by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Basin Interagency Narcotics Enforcement Team (BINET), and Oregon State Police (OSP).
While regulatory agencies investigate permitted cannabis operations, IMET is focusing on the black-market marijuana trade in the Rogue Valley. IMET is a multi-agency task force funded by a grant from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. The task force includes personnel from JCSO, OSP, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.
