1.5 tons of pot confiscated in Lents warehouse raid

See why officials say this outer East Portland large-scale marijuana producers had to be shut down, at least, for the time being …

In an industrial warehouse complex, near the Springwater Corridor Trail in the Lents Neighborhood, police find a huge marijuana processing center.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton

After receiving an anonymous tip about illegal marijuana processing, Portland Police Bureau (PPB) officers raided a warehouse – protected by a high-voltage electric fence – in an industrial complex in the 6000 block of SE 111th Avenue, on November 3.

“Investigators with the Bureau’s Drugs and Vice Division learned that subjects were delivering hundreds of harvested marijuana plants to a warehouse,” reported PPB Public Information Officer Sgt. Chris Burley.

This is some of the marijuana that investigators find, still hanging on drying racks. PPB provided image

“When officers entered the warehouse, they discovered sixteen people working within the building, processing the drying marijuana plants,” Burley said.

According to the documents presented to the investigators, the marijuana was “being grown for five patients under the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program,” revealed Burley.

“The individuals claimed they were in the process of obtaining their ‘Recreational License’, through the Oregon Liquor Control Commission – but no license had been granted,” Burley commented.

Officers take as evidence bags of processed marijuana. PPB provided image

Officers believed the operation was in excess of the total 30 mature plants allowed under the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program guidelines, added Burley.

“Officers processed the operation and seized an estimated 500 mature marijuana plants weighing 2,998.2 pounds,” Burley said.

The case is being reviewed by the Multnomah County District Attorney’s Office for prosecution.

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