7/31/24 - LCSO Case #24-3970 - Lane County Sheriff's Office Serves Search Warrant At Marijuana Grow To Assist OLCC -08/02/24

Several weeks ago, the Lane County Sheriff’s Office was contacted by OLCC cannabis inspectors regarding a licensed grow site along Meadowview Road near Junction City. LCSO learned that while the premises was licensed, it was found to be operating far outside the boundaries of the requirements put in place by OLCC. During a site visit last week, the OLCC found thousands of cannabis plants that were not entered into the Cannabis Tracking System (CTS). The tracking of plants is a requirement set by Oregon Revised Statutes (ORS) and Oregon Administrative Rules (OARs). The Cannabis Tracking System tracks legal marijuana from seed to sale, and untracked marijuana cannot be legally sold in OLCC licensed dispensaries.

It was also determined that the premises had done a recent harvest, and none of the harvested cannabis was tracked in CTS, or located on site at time of the inspection. OLCC indicated they encountered several individuals working at the premises who were not licensed through OLCC or authorized to be at the location.

LCSO served a search warrant at the location on Wednesday and located 5,610 growing marijuana plants as well as processed marijuana. OLCC staff assisted at the location during the service of the warrant.

The owner, Jospeh Heintz, 54, of Florida, was cited and released by LCSO for Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana. The investigation is on going.

LCSO would like to thank OLCC for their cooperation and would like to remind those in the legal industry to be mindful of the licensing requirements and to report others who are not.

This operation was funded out of the State of Oregon CJC grant to combat the illegal marijuana market.