Two men were arrested Tuesday afternoon following a raid on their southwest Bend home where drug agents allegedly found a sophisticated marijuana-growing operation and seized over 140 plants with a potential street value in excess of $200,000.

Casey James Connell (left); Reed Richard Last (right) - DCJ photos

Drug agents raided the residence on Zuni Road in southwest Bend and discovered a sophisticated marijuana growing operation (above & below) - CODE photos

According to a news release prepared by Central Oregon Drug Enforcement (CODE) team’s Lt. John Gautney, a search warrant was executed at 60467 Zuni Road about 3:30 p.m. on October 23.

Casey James Connell, 27, was taken into custody a short distance from the home, and Reed Richard Last, 25, was arrested when he returned to the residence during the search, Gautney reported.  Both arrests were without incident.

An active marijuana grow inside the home was hidden by false walls and rooms, and utilized diverted electrical power from other locations inside the residence, Gautney said, adding that another room was modified to allow for an expanded and larger operation.

Detectives seized 105 mature marijuana plants, 36 immature plants, and about one pound of dried pot, the lieutenant said.  “The marijuana grow could potentially have been [valued]in excess of $200,000 if it had made it to the street,” Gautney stated.

Connell and Last were lodged in the Deschutes County Jail and are charged with manufacturing, delivery, and possession of marijuana; conspiracy to manufacture marijuana; and frequenting a place where controlled substances are used.

• Nice set-up they had. Too bad someone snitched and ruined this fine grow-op. 420 smokers stay strong!
(Posted on October 25, 2007, 1:15 pm Indica)