The Lane County Sheriff’s Office served a search warrant on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, related to an Illegal large-scale marijuana growing operation. The warrant included service at a rural property in the 36000blk of Shoreview Dr. southeast of Cottage Grove and a residence in the 1400blk of Deal St. in Junction City. Given the substantial size of the operation, officials from several area law enforcement agencies to include the Springfield Police Department and Drug Enforcement Administration assisted with execution of the warrant. During the execution of the search warrant on Shoreview Dr., several individuals fled into the wooded area while several others hid in crawl spaces within the numerous structures on the 13 acre property. Firearms were found scattered throughout the property within the structures and vehicles. Despite numerous admonishments, several people remained hidden and the use of chemical agents was required in order to safely gain their compliance and detain them. After several hours the property was finally secured and 10 individuals were detained. Approximately 1700 growing marijuana plants were found at the Shoreview Dr. location. Investigators also located a room at the location that was being used for an organized cock fighting operation. Evidence revealed that the property owner, Thongkhahn Phandanouvong, has been hosting organized cock fights several times a year on the property, attracting attendees from outside states. Investigators contacted Pheng Luangaphay of Lacey, Washington and learned that Luangaphay had traveled to the Shoreview location last week to watch the cockfighting and that he had stayed to watch another fight this upcoming Saturday. Luangaphay was cited and released for participation in cockfighting. Many of those detained on the Shoreview property were migrant workers that appeared to be victims of human trafficking. As with many of the illegal marijuana grows located in Oregon, the workers had been promised pay of which they were not receiving. One worker told detectives that they wanted to leave but had no money and hadn’t been paid for over six months. Upon conclusion of the investigation the workers were allowed to leave the property in their vehicles. Portions of this illegal marijuana grow had spread onto nearby Weyerhaeuser property and a nearby stream was found to have been dammed and diverting water to the marijuana plants. The Lane County Sheriff’s Office seized 5 firearms and $11,000 in US currency associated with this large scale criminal operation. Phandanouvong was cited and released for the marijuana manufacturing crimes, Felon in Possession of a Firearm, and Participation in Cockfighting. Lane County Code Enforcement, the Oregon State Watermaster, and Weyerhaeuser representatives responded to the scene as well to assist with the investigation. This investigation remains ongoing.
