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About Keizertimes. (Salem, Or.) 1979-current | View Entire Issue (Feb. 11, 2022)
EIZER times $1.00/ ISSUE Vol. 43 • No. 17 FEBRUARY 11, 2022 Marijuana bust breaks records Keizer police seize millions from local homes Keizertimes Staff Police found indoor marijuana grow operations in six homes in Salem and Keizer that resulted in drug charges against seven people and the seizure of marijuana potentially worth millions, according to a statement released Friday, Feb. 11 by the Keizer Police Department. " After polling the veterans of the department, I confirmed this was the larg- est, Keizer Police Department initiated, NEWSTAND PRICE: $1.00/ ISSUE SUBSCRIBER ADDRESS : marijuana take down in the department’s history," said Lt. Trevor Wenning, spokes- person for the Keizer Police Department. Police said they recovered 273 one- pound packages of marijuana, 4,085 plants and $280,802 in cash in the searches on Tuesday, Feb. 1. “These marijuana grows were neigh- borhood problems,” the statement said. “Entire living spaces were dedicated to cultivating marijuana. Four of the six homes were declared uninhabitable due to dangerous wiring modifications, chemical contamination and substantial growth mold.” All seven were cited for unlawful man- ufacture of marijuana, unlawful posses- sion of marijuana and attempted delivery of marijuana. Police identified those cited: • Shilu Su, 47, Keizer • Xiyan Xie, 45, Keizer • Xishi Xie, 40, Keizer • Ming Xie, 68, Keizer • Xizhi Xie, 42, Salem • Dong Su, 43, Salem • Chen Wuwen, 48, Salem The properties searched by police and what Marion County assessor’s records show regarding the ownership: • 6995 River Rd. N. was bought by Shilu Su and Xiyan Xie in 2019 for $320,000. • 1077 Northshire Ct. N.E., Keizer, bought by Shilu Su and Xiyan Xie in May 2021 for $473,000. • 2445 Tynel Ct. N.E., Keizer, bought by Xishi Xie in July 2020 for $250,000. Xishi Xie also listed an address in Lawrenceville, Georgia. • 250 Kashmir Ct. S.E., Salem, bought by Dong Su and Xizhi Xie in September 2019 for $355,000. Xizhi Xie also listed an address in Doraville, Georgia. • 4753 Lisa St. N.E., Salem, bought by Wuwen Chen in August 2021 for $550,000. Chen Wuwen also was accused of marijuana crimes related to property at 4826 Manning Dr. N.E., in Salem. Marion County assessor’s records list the owners as individuals not charged in connection with the marijuana operation. Wenning said in the statement that the investigation started when the agency’s Community Response Unit was tipped last October to potential illegal activity at the Northshire Court home. The statement said the packaged marijuana would be worth $278,000 in Oregon but nearly $1 million on the East Coast. The growing plants, once matured, could have been worth more than $28 mil- lion, the statement said. Besides Keizer police, officers from the Salem Police Department, Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Oregon State Police, Linn County Interagency Drug Team, U.S. DEA, and the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives partic- ipated in the Friday night searches. In Oregon, personal-use marijuana cultivation is permitted for individuals, and commercial operations are allowed when licensed by the state. The police statement noted that no more than 168 pounds of processed marijuana is allowed under Oregon law and regulations. Keizer police search an indoor marijuana grow operation located at 6995 River Road in Keizer. Top Photo by JOEY CAPPELLETTI of Keizertimes Photos courtesy of Keizer Police Department.
