EAGLE POINT, Ore. – On Friday evening, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies stopped a white Mercedes Sprinter van with Georgia license plates headed eastbound on Highway 140 near Salt Creek Road for traffic violations. An Illegal Marijuana Enforcement Team (IMET) narcotics K9 alerted on the vehicle. A search led to the discovery of 43 boxes of processed marijuana totaling more than 2,200 pounds.
The driver had paperwork indicating the cargo was hemp. Investigators tested the products for THC content and confirmed the green, leafy substance contained more than 17% THC. Criminal charges are being reviewed by the Jackson County District Attorney’s Office.
While regulatory agencies investigate permitted cannabis operations, IMET is focusing on the black-market marijuana trade in the Rogue Valley. IMET is a multi-agency task force funded by a grant from the Oregon Criminal Justice Commission. The task force includes personnel from JCSO, Homeland Security Investigations, Oregon State Police, Medford Police Department, and the Jackson County District Attorney’s office.
Investigations are open and ongoing with detectives working additional leads. No further information is currently available for release.