Takedown of Massive Marijuana Grow Outside of Dayton, Oregon

The huge, illegal cannabis grow was on wetlands in rural Yamhill County

Illegal grow operation was located and one man arrested. Photo: Yamhill County Sheriff's Office

(DAYTON, Ore.) - In the early morning hours of Wednesday, June 28th, the Yamhill County Interagency Narcotics Team (YCINT) conducted an operation in rural Dayton which was the culmination of a two month investigation into the unlawful manufacture of marijuana on wetlands near the Willamette River.

Manuel Madrigal

Due to safety concerns, the tactical portion of the operation was carried out by Oregon State Police SWAT.

The marijuana production, which was determined to be part of a Mexican Drug Trafficking Organization (D.T.O.) was substantial in size, and resulted in the seizure of over 6,500 plants with a value of over 9 million dollars.

Located within the marijuana gardens, and taken into custody was 42-year old Manuel Madrigal.

Madrigal, who shows a San Antonio, Texas address has a history of previous drug arrests. He was found by officers in an elaborate living area, complete with a kitchen, which was hidden under a tarp near the marijuana gardens.

Madrigal was arrested for federal drug trafficking charges and transferred to U.S. Marshal custody in Portland. This investigation is still ongoing.

Sheriff Svenson, board chair for YCINT, said that this is a good example of the dangers that we continue to face in Oregon, even though Marijuana is legal in certain quantities.

"There is still a profit to be made in marijuana by these illegal organizations. As long as this continues we will need to remain diligent in our investigations to keep this money from being routed to other areas of criminal activity."

This is the first large scale D.T.O. marijuana grow operation located in Yamhill County in several years. Historically, these grows have been located on public lands in the mountains of western Yamhill County, and were difficult to access due to steep, dangerous terrain.

Police say this shows "a shift in tactics by the drug trafficking organizations".

YCINT was assisted by Oregon State Police, the Yamhill County Sheriff's Office, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and the McMinnville Police Department.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is encouraged to contact YCINT at 503-472-6565.

Source: Yamhill County Sheriff's Office

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