20,000 marijuana plants seized in outdoor growing operation
You can no longer hike in the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest. A large share of our nation forests and national parks have been taken over by armed illegal alien drug operations. This is an example of what all Oregonians and Washingtonians know all too well.
These are the people our elected officials want to give amnesty.
20,000 marijuana plants seized in outdoor growing operation in Pacific County
http://www.dailyastorian.com/main.asp?S ... M=64282.71
East Oregonian Publishing Group
SOUTH BEND, Wash. - The Pacific County Narcotics Enforcement Team and the Grays Harbor Drug Task Force teamed up to harvest up to $60 million of marijuana outdoors in Pacific County southeast of South Bend. The growing marijuana was located about 11 a.m. Wednesday with the assistance of the Air National Guard.
It may be the biggest pot bust in Western Washington history.
Deputies approached the location on foot and encountered several armed men in the grow. Deputies were able to take one man into custody. The other men fled in to a heavily wooded area, dropping two rifles as they ran. The rifles were later determined to be pellet rifles. Deputies recovered a loaded 10mm, semi-automatic handgun from the waistband of the male in custody.
PACNET and GHDTF deputies then called for additional assistance in attempting to locate the fleeing suspects.
Officers from the Pacific County Sheriff's Office, the Raymond Police Department, the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, the Washington State Patrol, and the Grays Harbor Sheriff's Office K-9 officer all responded to the scene to assist. The South Bend Police Department assisted with containment of the surrounding area. After a search of the immediate area, the other men were not located.
Deputies and officers harvested over 20,000 growing marijuana plants from the site. The street value of the marijuana at full maturity is potentially $60 million.
Rafael B. Mendoza, age 48, address unknown was booked in to Pacific County Jail for manufacturing marijuana and unlawful possession of a firearm.
The sophisticated grow operation incorporated an elaborate gravity fed watering system, deputies said. The growing marijuana was spread out throughout an area with 15 to 20 year old tree growth. Large plots had been cleared out for the marijuana plants. There were several campsites strategically placed around the growing marijuana.
"This is the largest marijuana plantation in Western Washington that I am aware of in over 30 years of law enforcement," said Grays Harbor Sheriff Mike Whelan. "We would not have been able to do this without the close working relationship between the Grays Harbor Drug Task Force and the Pacific County Narcotics Enforcement Team."
Pacific County Sheriff John Didion agreed. "This is a great example of what can be accomplished with resources, communication, and cooperation. Working closely with the Grays Harbor Drug Task Force and the air National Guard, PACNET was able to locate and seize the grow, make an arrest, and keep millions of dollars of narcotics out of our communities," he said.
Anyone wishing to call in a marijuana tip can call 800-388-GROW. Your identity can remain anonymous and you can receive a reward.
Anyone with information about this or other incidents of narcotic activity are encouraged to contact Deputy Mike Ray at 360-642-9459 or Deputy Pat Matlock at 360-875-9440.
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KSVR confirmed late this afternoon that an ICE Hold is pending against Mendoza. He's also being held as an alien in posession of a firearm without a license with $1,000,000 bail.
