A large-scale marijuana enforcement operation unfolded in late August when local and federal agencies joined forces to dismantle what authorities describe as one of the more significant illegal grow sites in recent years.
On August 26, 2025, the Josephine Marijuana Enforcement Team (JMET) executed a search warrant at a property located along the 700 block of Althouse Creek Road in Cave Junction. The coordinated operation brought together not only JMET but also the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Homeland Security Investigations, the United States Marshals Service, the Internal Revenue Service, and the Rogue Area Drug Enforcement team.
Law enforcement officials reported the seizure of more than 11,600 marijuana plants from the site, along with 2,500 pounds of processed marijuana. The crop and finished product were destroyed. A firearm was also recovered and removed from the property during the raid.
Authorities allege that the grow was not operating within the confines of Oregon law, which permits regulated cultivation but strictly limits the number of plants and requires licensing. In addition to the marijuana seizure, investigators noted what they called multiple electrical, water, and solid waste violations on the property. These violations, they say, may subject the property to civil forfeiture proceedings in the future.
The operation resulted in the arrest of 33-year-old Richard James Bassett Jr. He was transported to the Josephine County Jail and booked on charges of unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful manufacturing of marijuana, and unlawful appropriation of groundwater. The latter charge underscores concerns that illegal cultivation sites in Southern Oregon often rely on unauthorized water sources, raising environmental and agricultural management issues in a region already burdened by drought and water scarcity.
Officials involved in the operation stressed that the case remains active, with further investigation underway. The presence of multiple federal agencies suggests that the probe may extend beyond local enforcement, potentially involving financial scrutiny, cross-border trafficking assessments, and environmental damage evaluations.
Illegal marijuana grows have long been a flashpoint in Josephine County, a region historically tied to cannabis cultivation. Since the legalization of recreational marijuana in Oregon, state and county officials have sought to balance the legal industry with enforcement against operations that skirt regulations. Enforcement teams like JMET have increasingly targeted grows alleged to be far in excess of state guidelines, particularly where public safety or environmental hazards are present.
The scale of the Althouse Creek Road operation demonstrates both the persistence of illicit grows and the resources dedicated to addressing them. While the seized marijuana represents a significant removal from the black market, authorities caution that such busts often reflect a broader issue of ongoing demand and profitability.
For now, Bassett remains in custody while the case continues to move forward. Officials have not yet said whether additional arrests are expected. With the investigation still unfolding, the property and its potential forfeiture remain under review, and further details are expected to be released as the case develops.