NEWS RELEASE

Seattle) –Law enforcement officials from the Drug Enforcement Administration, Kent, Auburn, Renton, Tukwila and Port of Seattle Police Departments announced that early this morning, federal agents and local authorities executed 13 search warrants on indoor marijuana grow operations in King County. Today's activities are part of the collaborative effort by law enforcement in ‘Operation Green Reaper', targeting the command and control components of the Puget Sound's indoor marijuana grow organizations.
Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) David Dongilli stated, "It is important for the public to know how dangerous indoor marijuana cultivation is to our community. These drug trafficking organizations are concealing their illegal activities in the very heart of many of our neighborhoods. Drug traffickers are buying or leasing suburban homes and illegally modifying them, usually with jury-rigged electrical wiring and extensive internal irrigation systems, and utilizing substantial amounts of toxic chemicals and fertilizers (which are ultimately either dumped or wind up as byproducts in the municipal sewer and water systems) in order to grow their marijuana."
ASAC Dongilli further stated, "These homes are more readily prone to fires and the mold contamination produced from the cultivation process poses significant health and safety concerns to the community. The unfortunate end result is that these drug dealers collect huge illicit profits and our community banks and other mortgage holders are left with virtually uninhabitable and foreclosed homes."
In conjunction with these raids, law enforcement seized 4,578 marijuana plants, three weapons to include an assault rifle and a shotgun, approximately $50,000.00 in United States Currency, 20 vehicles and have taken 20 subjects into custody.
Today's efforts were supported by the Washington State Patrol, Seattle Police Department, King County Sheriff's Office, Valley SWAT and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.


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The driver of a pickup died early Saturday morning when he drove across the centerline on Highway 97 north of Klamath Falls and crashed head-on with a commercial truck. The victim's name is being released following next of kin notification.

According to Oregon State Police (OSP) Sergeant Robert Fenner, on October 4, 2008 at approximately 3:35 a.m. a commercial truck pulling a trailer operated by CHRISTOPHER LEE CHAVEZ, age 38, from Rochester, Washington was northbound on Highway 97 near milepost 259 when a southbound 2008 Chevrolet pickup driven by DENNIS ALAN SHATTUCK, age 60, from Snohomish, Washington, crossed the centerline. Both vehicles collided head-on.

SHATTUCK was pronounced deceased at the scene. He was using safety restraints and his vehicle's airbags deployed. Washington State Patrol assisted with next of kin notification.

CHAVEZ was using safety restraints and his truck's airbag deployed. He was transported by Klamath County Fire District I to Sky Lakes Medical Center in Klamath Falls with minor injuries. He has been treated and released.

The highway was completely blocked for approximately one hour then partially re-opened with flaggers for the next four hours. Highway 97 was cleared for normal traffic by 8:30 a.m.

OSP troopers from the Klamath Falls Area Command office are continuing the investigation. Klamath County Sheriff's Office, Klamath County Fire District I, Chiloquin Fire Department and ODOT assisted at the scene.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


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A Monday morning Oregon State Police (OSP) traffic stop south of Ashland on Interstate 5 led to criminal charges against three Washington residents on drug, firearm and identity theft charges.

On September 15, 2008 at approximately 7:00 a.m. an OSP trooper stopped a 2008 Nissan four-door northbound on Interstate 5 near milepost 11 for a traffic violation. The rental vehicle was driven by AMBER BOOS, age 19, from Sammamish, Washington. Two passengers were identified as MICHAEL JOHNSON, age 24, from Bellevue, Washington, and NATHAN MAYO, age 18, from Seattle, Washington.

Subsequent investigation during the traffic stop led to a search and seizure of approximately 1/2 oz of marijuana, a firearm, a laptop computer, printer, blank payroll checks and finished forged checks.

JOHNSON was arrested and lodged in Jackson County Jail on the following charges:
* Unlawful Delivery and Manufacturing of Marijuana
* Felon in Possession of a Firearm
* Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the First Degree
* Computer Crime
* Identity Theft (two counts)

BOOS and MAYO were cited to appear into Jackson County Circuit Court for Computer Crime, Identity Theft (two counts), and Criminal Possession of a Forged Instrument in the First Degree.

The investigation is continuing.

Photograph Source: Oregon State Police

### www.oregon.gov/OSP ###


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Attached Media Files: Breast Cancer Awareness Month release 2008.doc