On Thursday, August 22, 2024 the Klamath County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant at the property belonging to, Moua Y Lo, located on the Oregon and California border south of Keno, Oregon. Surveillance of the property revealed a large illegal marijuana operation.
Moua Y Lo, 62, of Waunakee, Wisconsin was not on scene. A recommendation of criminal charges will be sent to the Klamath County District Attorney’s Office for:
- Unlawful Possession of Marijuana (ORS 475B.337)
- Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana (ORS 475B.349)
- Unlawful Use or Appropriation of Ground Water (ORS 537.535)
The on-scene investigation confirmed a large illegal marijuana grow operation containing two unpermitted greenhouses and 1,216 marijuana plants in various stages of growth. Including 180-pounds of processed and packaged marijuana ready for distribution. Also discovered and seized was a 1979 Freightliner water-truck suspected of illegally transporting and furnishing water to several nearby illegal grow sites. Infrastructure for drying processed marijuana and potentially harmful fertilizers were also discovered. It is estimated more than 170,000 gallons of water was illegally misappropriated to grow this amount of marijuana.
Investigators observed a considerable amount of trash and debris consisting of thousands of feet of plastic drip tubing, plastic greenhouse coverings and more scattered throughout the property.
Persons hauling water in Oregon, or receiving water deliveries, are required to maintain records and to present those records to law enforcement. “The seizure of a water-truck used in the illegal manufacturing of marijuana creates a significant interruption to this form of criminal enterprise. Interruption, and keeping these criminals from profiting, has been the two-fold goal since we began our eradication efforts years ago.” said Sheriff Chris Kaber.
The Klamath County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Basin Inter-Agency Narcotics Enforcement Team, Oregon State Police, U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Klamath County Solid Waste, Klamath County Code Enforcement, Oregon Medical Marijuana Program, Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission, Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon State Water Master.
