MERLIN, Ore. — Rural Metro Firefighters responded to a fire at an industrial building on Merlin Avenue on May 5, only to uncover an illegal marijuana grow operation.
Upon extinguishing the flames, authorities discovered more than 1,300 marijuana plants inside the building. The Josephine County Sheriff’s Office later confirmed that the blaze was caused by tampering with the building’s electrical system, which had been altered to illegally power the grow site.
State Fire Marshals conducted an investigation into the fire’s cause, determining that the electrical modifications were unsafe and contributed directly to the fire. In total, the operation resulted in the destruction of the seized marijuana plants.
The sheriff’s office has confirmed that the investigation is ongoing, with authorities urging anyone with relevant information to contact the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) tip line at (541) 474-5252.
This incident highlights the dangers associated with illicit marijuana cultivation, particularly when improper electrical systems are used, potentially putting both public safety and the environment at risk. Authorities continue to investigate the full scope of the operation and its possible connections to other illegal activities.
In light of the fire and the ongoing investigation, law enforcement is calling on the community for help. Any information that could assist in identifying those responsible for the operation is encouraged to be shared through the designated tip line.
The discovery of this illegal grow operation serves as a reminder of the challenges law enforcement faces in managing marijuana-related crimes, especially in rural areas like Merlin. As the investigation unfolds, authorities are expected to provide further updates on the case.