A Bend Police community service officer called to a residence in northwest Bend on an unrelated call discovered evidence leading drug agents to eventually raid the home, arrest a 21-year old man, and seize 79 marijuana plants.
According to a news release prepared by Bend Police Lt. John Gautney -- working with the Central Drug Enforcement (CODE) team – detectives arrived at 530 NW Delaware Avenue and began an investigation that eventually led to the execution of a search warrant about 1 p.m., January 3.
CODE provided these photos of the marijuana growing operation taken during execution of a search warrant at 530 NW Delaware Ave. in Bend. (Inset above: Ian Smith - DCJ photo)
The CODE team discovered and seized 79 marijuana plants, one ounce of dried marijuana, packaging materials and weight scales, other equipment used to grow marijuana and over $500 in cash, the lieutenant reported.
“A conservative estimate on the potential street value would be over $70,000,” Gautney said.
Ian Smith, 21, was taken into custody without incident at his place of employment. He was lodged in the Deschutes County Jail where he is charged with possession, delivery and manufacture of marijuana, and for frequenting a place where controlled substances are kept or sold.