Previous release states nearly 20,000 seized plants, this is incorrect. The correct number is over 1950 seized marijuana plants.
Date:
February 12, 2019
Date and Time of Incident:
Tuesday, February 12th, 2019 at 1000 hours
Type of Incident:
Illegal Marijuana grow/ search warrant
Location of Incident:
52848 Wayside Loop Lapine, Or.
Suspect(s):
Onat, Sam O. 51 yoa Lapine resident
Fleming, Christopher J. 41 yoa Lapine resident
Narrative:
The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement team culminated a short term investigation of an illegal marijuana grow by serving a search warrant at 52848 Wayside Loop in Lapine, Oregon. Members of the Central Oregon Emergency Response team (CERT) assisted with the execution of the warrant.
The CODE team and Marijuana Enforcement Detectives began the investigation after receiving numerous complaints of a suspected illegal marijuana grow at the Wayside Loop address.
After an initial review to determine if the location was licensed through the state, it was determined no licenses to grow hemp, recreational or medicinal marijuana had been obtained.
As a result of this investigation, it is apparent the operation has been in existence for a few years. Investigators noted the entire property, which included a converted 4 car garage, 2 outbuildings and 2 metal transport containers, had been retrofitted to house the illicit growing operation which included self-contained watering units and climate control equipment. The packaging of the illegal marijuana was taking place in the residential structure.
As a result of the search warrant, over 1950 marijuana plants were seized, over 350 lbs of dried marijuana was seized as well as some BHO (Butane Honey Oil), although the location did not show signs of an illegal BHO lab.
Further evidence from the investigation supported a money laundering operation was occurring which included a substantial amount of currency and a money counter in addition to other evidence.
Both Onat and Fleming were arrested on scene and lodged at the Deschutes County Adult Jail on the below listed charges.
Charge(s):
Onat:
Delivery, Manufacture and Possession of a schedule II controlled substance (marijuana), Criminal Conspiracy, Money laundering
Fleming:
Delivery, Manufacture and Possession of a schedule II controlled substance (marijuana), Criminal Conspiracy
The Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team is a multi-jurisdictional narcotics task force supported by the Oregon-Idaho High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) program and the following Central Oregon law enforcement agencies: Deschutes County Sheriff’s office which includes a Proactive Marijuana enforcement detective funded by the Deschutes County Board of County Commissioners, Oregon State Police, Bend Police Department, Redmond Police Department, Prineville Police Department, Crook County Sheriff’s Office, Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office, Madras Police Department, Sunriver Police Department, Black Butte Police Department, United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Warm Springs Tribal Police Department, Deschutes, Crook, and Jefferson County District Attorney’s, and the Oregon National Guard.
The Oregon-Idaho HIDTA program is an Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) sponsored counterdrug grant program that coordinates and provides funding resources to multi-agency drug enforcement task forces to disrupt or dismantle local, multi-state and international drug trafficking organizations.