Search Warrants Served In Northerm Marion County Area Investigation (Photo) - 08/07/26
MARION COUNTY, Ore. (7 August 2026) – In the early morning hours of August 7, 2026, the Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement (LINE) team, an interagency HIDTA drug task force based in Linn County, in collaboration with the Oregon State Police, Marion County Sheriff’s Office and the West Side Interagency Narcotics (WIN) team, served two search warrants connected to illegal marijuana growing operations on two properties near Hubbard.
During the operation, several individuals were identified as potential victims of labor trafficking and had allegedly been forced to work at the sites. The individuals were given on-site access to resources through Safety Compass, a local non-profit that provides support to victims of human trafficking.
In addition to hygiene kits and emergency food, Safety Compass offered on-site interpreters, confidential advocacy, and connections to resources such as shelter, legal assistance, and victim services, as well as other culturally specific services based on individual needs.
Individuals reported poor living conditions and restrictions on leaving the property. Many reported coming to the properties under the assumption of legal work and said they had received unofficial work contracts.
Of the 17 individuals contacted as part of the investigation, 16 adults were released without charges.
One adult male suspect was cited in lieu of custody for possession of cocaine, and charges of unlawful manufacture of marijuana will be referred to the Marion County District Attorney’s Office. Additional referrals to the District Attorney’s Office include charges against another adult male for unlawful manufacture of marijuana, as well as two property owners for conspiracy to unlawfully manufacture marijuana.
Investigators seized approximately 47,595 marijuana plants, 80 pounds of processed marijuana, a small amount of cocaine, and nine firearms between the two locations.
Superintendent Casey Codding said, “It is deplorable for anyone to be forced to work against their will. Labor trafficking is often intertwined with other forms of illegal activity. Our priority is the safety and well-being of potential victims.” When troopers encounter signs of labor trafficking, OSP works with qualified partners to connect individuals voluntarily with advocacy, services, and other available resources.
OSP is coordinating with the Oregon Department of Human Services and victim-service partners to support voluntary connections to available services and resources.
The operation was conducted in keeping with Oregon’s Sanctuary Promise laws, which prohibit law enforcement from participating in federal immigration enforcement efforts.
This remains an active investigation, and no additional details are available for release at this time.
For 24/7 confidential help finding resources or to report human trafficking, contact the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text “INFO” to 233733. In northwest Oregon, Safety Compass also offers a 24/7 confidential hotline at 971-235-0021.
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About the Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement (LINE) Team
The LINE team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force that identifies, disrupts, and dismantles local, multi-state, and international drug trafficking organizations using an intelligence-driven, multi-agency prosecutor-supported approach. LINE is supported by the Oregon-Idaho High-Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) which is composed of members from the Albany Police Department, Oregon State Police, Linn County Sheriff’s Office, Lebanon Police Department, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and Oregon National Guard Counter Drug.
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates with and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement initiatives, including the Linn Interagency Narcotics Enforcement team.
