THC-infused taffy among marijuana products seized in pair of raids; two Bend residents face charges

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) – Deschutes County drug agents recently conducted two simultaneous raids in Bend, charging two people and seizing a variety of marijuana products prepared for the black market, including THC-infused taffy and other edibles, rosin, capsules and flower.

At 8:30 am on Friday, Jan. 24, detectives with the Deschutes County Illegal Marijuana Market Enforcement (DCIMME) team executed two search warrants in the 400 block of NE Franklin Avenue and 1200 block of NW Discovery Park Drive, sheriff's Sergeant Jason Wall said.

The long-term investigation covered a wide range of cannabis products to include:

• Edibles: Food products infused with marijuana, like gummies, chocolates, or baked goods.
• Rosin: A concentrated form of cannabis extracted using heat and pressure.
• Capsules: Marijuana oil or other extracts enclosed in a capsule for oral consumption.
• Flower: The dried buds of the marijuana plant, which are typically smoked or vaporized.

Wall said the suspects were producing candy products, in this case, taffy infused with THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive compound in marijuana.

Items seized during the search warrant included:

Equipment - 1 rosin press, 2 pill/capsule fillers, packaging materials

Marijuana plants = 74

Marijuana processed (includes 82 pre-rolled marijuana joints) = 26.14 pounds

Marijuana concentrate (rosin, isolates) = 4,550 grams

Marijuana edibles (taffys & pills) = 3,870 grams

Marijuana liquid (bottles of liquids infused w/ THC) = 2.05 grams

Marijuana seeds = 100+

Psilocybin = 335.66 grams

Psilocybin edibles (includes taffy & pills) = 996 grams

U.S. Currency = $1080

"These mentioned items were packaged for sale and evidence of out-of-county distribution into the black market was located," Wall said in a news release.

"The suspect producing these illegal marijuana items was manipulating the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program by using his medical marijuana product to produce his edibles for financial gain. The male suspect was found to be growing in excess of what he was medically allowed to grow. 

Both arrestees were issued criminal citations to appear on charges.

A 29-year-old Bend man faces a Class A felony charge of attempted distribution of psilocybin within 1,000 feet of a school and Class C felony charges of illegal manufacture of a marijuana item and possession of more than eight pounds of marijuana, as well as Class B misdemeanor counts of drug possession and attempted delivery of a marijuana item. A 30-year-old Bend woman also faces the latter charge.

Wall added, "This investigation highlights law enforcement efforts to combat the illegal marijuana market, which can pose risks to public health and safety due to the lack of regulation and quality control."