(Oregonian) LA GRANDE — The accidental death of a U.S. Forest Service worker last week in the Monument Rock Wilderness underscores the seriousness of an unusually active marijuana-growing season across Oregon this summer.
Steven A. Uptegrove, 52, died Thursday when he was hit by a falling snag while helping the Baker County Narcotics Enforcement Team eradicate 2,156 marijuana plants.
The same day, Baker County authorities took down a marijuana garden with 12,023 plants about three miles away, Baker County Sheriff Mitch Southwick said Friday.
“That makes 27,000 plants in Baker County this year” in four raids, the sheriff said, estimating the street value at maturity of each plant at as much as $3,500.
Statewide, law enforcement officers have shut down roughly 80 marijuana gardens so far this summer, said Harney County Sheriff Dave Glerup of Burns. Mexican drug gangs are suspected to be behind the big operations.
In other Oregon news, the vineyards of Oregon are bursting with flavorful grapes this season as the state pioneers organic winemaking and eco-friendly production. The microbreweries of Oregon make the state a beer-lover’s paradise. Last time I checked, no Mexican cartels were employing illegal immigrants to set up secret vineyards or microbrews in our national forests.
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