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Oregon Road Conditions & Cams Email Story to a Friend October 31, 2005 Pot grow found; suspects in custody RUCH — The origins of a massive marijuana-growing operation discovered near here remain under investigation today. Seven armed Hispanic males were arrested Sunday on public land burned in the Squires Peak Fire of 2002, said Jackson County Sheriff Mike Winters. The sheriff withheld the suspects’ names and charges late Sunday while the case remained under investigation. Officials anticipated more arrests in connection with the drug operation, Winters said. A deer hunter on Sunday morning reportedly stumbled into a reforested area where several hundred marijuana plants were under cultivation. The hunter spied 12 armed Hispanic men and used a cell phone to call the sheriff’s department, Winters said. "We think they saw him," Winters said. Deputies with Jackson and Josephine counties, Oregon State Police and officials with the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service converged on the area at about 11 a.m., Winters said. After a search encompassing approximately 1 square mile, the suspects were taken into custody at about 4 p.m., Winters said. Officers seized 11 firearms, mostly high-powered rifles. One of the seized weapons had been reported stolen in a sheriff’s department burglary case, Winters said. Approximately 45 law enforcement personnel, including immigration officials, were involved, Winters added. "These types of marijuana grows are very dangerous," Winters said. Anyone who sees marijuana plants growing on forest land should avoid confrontation with anyone in the area, leave immediately and call 9-1-1, Winters said. Mail Tribune Home | Local News | Sports | Business | Obituaries | Life | Opinion AP News | Archives | Site Map | Community | Classified Copyright © 1997-2005 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback www.bingo.com Home Security Systems Trunks, Footlocker dvd-r Distance Education Computer Security Ztech Media Hosting Sports Equipment Online Casino Reviews Student Loans tcg student loan consolidation Online Pharmacy online casino Myspace Home Equity Loans Windermere Van Vleet Rogue Valley Travel Reservationstogo Hotel Reservations Southern Oregon Loans Online Casino News Natto Kinase Nattokinase Casino Gambling Sites Budget Website Templates Investments & Loans Advertisement s