Sisters man swept up in drug raids

A 48-year-old Sisters area man — as yet unidentified by law enforcement — was among those swept up in a long-term investigation into the manufacturing and distribution of controlled substances within the Central Oregon area.

The investigation involved the Deschutes County Illegal Marijuana Enforcement team and the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office Street Crimes Unit.

On November 11, around 9:30 a.m., Central Oregon Drug Enforcement Detectives executed three search warrants in Bend, Sisters, and Terrebonne. These locations included the 6000 Block of NW 10th Street in Terrebonne, the 17000 block of Mountain View Road in Sisters, and the 61000 block of Linton Lane in Bend.

During the search in Terrebonne, detectives found a sizeable, complex, and illicit active psilocybin incubation facility, grow chamber, and packaging center. Psychedelic psilocybin, approved for limited therapeutic use by voters last fall, remains a Schedule 1 controlled substance. Indoor mushroom growing can produce airborne mold, fungus, and spores attached to clothing and food. It is common knowledge that prolonged exposure to mold and fungus can cause numerous medical conditions, especially in children.

While dismantling this psilocybin facility, detectives donned protective respirators and clothing to prevent exposure to the airborne mold, fungus, and spores. The entire dismantling, evidence collection, and decontamination process took about eight hours to complete. Ultimately, detectives collected a substantial amount of illegal psilocybin and a firearm from the Terrebonne facility.

In Bend, a commercial quantity of processed psilocybin and cannabis were found with other related manufacturing paraphernalia inside the home on Linton Lane in Bend. Two AR-style rifles and a pistol, with a large sum of cash, were also seized. The house is located in the Sagewood community in West Bend. It also is occupied by the suspect’s minor children, whom detectives determined had been exposed to the psilocybin manufacturing process and storage within the home. Oregon child welfare workers assisted at the scene to care for the children and arrange for a safety plan with the family.

Both 36-year-olds, a man and woman, were cited and released at the Bend scene on charges of possessing felony amounts of processed marijuana, the unlawful possession and manufacture of psilocybin, and endangering the welfare of a minor.

In Sisters, detectives contacted a third man who is allegedly part of the psilocybin organization. During the search of his Squaw Creek Canyon home, detectives located and seized a sizeable cache of processed marijuana and currency. The Sisters man was cited and released at the scene on charges of possessing felony amounts of processed marijuana and unlawful manufacture of marijuana.

This investigation is ongoing, and additional arrests are expected. The sheriff’s office reports that the names of the arrested will be released once the investigation is complete.