SEARCH WARRANT SERVED FOR AN ILLEGAL MARIJUANA OPERATION

Josephine Co. Sheriff's Office

On Tuesday, July 13, 2021, members of Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) in partnership with Oregon State Police, Rogue Area Drug Enforcement (Grants Pass DPS, OSP, Josephine County Parole and Probation), Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET, consisting of Jackson County SO, Medford PD), Homeland Security Investigations and Josephine County Code Enforcement; served a search warrant relating to illegal marijuana grow operations in the 1300 block of Lakeshore Dr, 6000 block of Takilma Rd and the 300 block of Merlot Dr.

During the execution of the search warrant, 27,696 illegal marijuana plants were seized and destroyed. Additionally, 27 firearms, multiple water pumps and generators were seized as evidence. $255,611 in cash was also seized.  (Side note: the cash, which is subject to forfeiture, can only be used for training and equipment, not personnel.)

Zacharea Jafarzadeh, 30, and Woodrow Benear, 32, were arrested and lodged in the Josephine County Jail for possession, manufacture, and unlawful delivery of marijuana. Additionally, 11 subjects were detained due to safety concerns. At the time of this press release, the investigation is ongoing, and no further details are being released.