Illegal Grow Site in Klamath County Drained 85,000 Gallons of Water Before Deputies Moved In

KLAMATH COUNTY, Ore. — The discovery of an illegal marijuana grow site on Canadian Honker Lane in Sprague River, Oregon, led Klamath County Sheriff’s Office (KCSO) deputies to the property yesterday, where they found 234 marijuana plants and arrested two people who are charged with marijuana and water theft.

Following surveillance that revealed what appeared to be an illegal outdoor marijuana grow operation, KCSO officers executed a search warrant at the property, which uncovered 160 plants inside a greenhouse, 74 plants growing outdoors in a nearby field, and processed marijuana in one of the greenhouses.

Tyler Cengiz and Azure Felan, both 34 years old, were found on the property and were arrested. They face criminal charges of Unlawful Possession of Marijuana (ORS 475B.337) and Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana (ORS 475B.349).

Illegal marijuana grows deplete local water resources and create long-term hazards for our community. The water theft investigation revealed that an estimated +85,000 gallons of water were unlawfully being used to illegally irrigate the marijuana plants using water from a domestic well.

Significant amounts of trash and debris, including plastic coverings and other waste materials, were also found on the property, posing environmental concerns. A separate investigation is ongoing for the Unlawful Use or Appropriation of Ground Water (ORS 537.535).