PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A federal grand jury has indicted six men on charges involving a marijuana growing operation in a remote mountain ravine in northeastern Oregon where 91,000 plants were found.
Federal prosecutors said Friday all were charged with conspiracy to manufacture more than 1,000 marijuana plants and depredation of government property.
Hunters tipped law enforcement about the operation on U.S. Forest Service land in Wallowa County and it was raided last week by a multi-agency team that included the Oregon State Police and air support from the Oregon Army National Guard.
U.S. Attorney Dwight Holton said illegal marijuana growers can cause significant and costly environmental damage.
Federal prosecutors said initial state charges will be dismissed and the six men will be brought to Portland to be arraigned on the federal charges.
