On September 11, 2024 Yamhill County Sheriff's Office served a search warrant at a rural property in the 17000 block of NE Albert Way outside Newberg. The warrant was authorized to collect evidence related to the unlawful manufacture and possession of marijuana. The property to be searched was found to have no licensing through any of the regulatory agencies to be producing or processing cannabis.
Seven individuals were found at the property, which is a former equestrian facility. The arena had been converted into individual grow rooms and living quarters. There were also outdoor greenhouse type structures on the property where marijuana was being grown.
1608 growing marijuana plants were eradicated, and 260 pounds of processed marijuana was seized. A butane hash oil lab was found on the property, and specially trained personnel from the Oregon State Police NW Region Marijuana Team responded to safely dismantle the lab. Marijuana extracts were located inside the residence.
As with many of these illegal grow sites, the only motivation is pure profit, and the individuals who are either recruited, enticed, or coerced into working at the sites are not afforded the same workplace protections that are required of legal employers and marijuana production businesses, such as workman's compensation insurance, protective equipment, paid leave, and overtime compensation.
The seven people found on the property were arrested.
Source: Yamhill County Sheriff's Office