Two Redmond men were arrested May 22, accused of operating an illegal marijuana grow in Redmond.

Robert William Thibodeau Jr., 68, and Michael Brandon Howard, 37, were both charged with unlawful manufacture of marijuana. 

According to a release from the Deschutes County Sheriff’s Office, detectives concluded a long-term investigation by executing a search warrant on a property of 8000 block of Yucca Ave. in Redmond at 7 a.m. on May 22.

According to police seized of over 400 illegal marijuana plants which were being grown in a 4,700-square-foot shop on a 40 acres. This investigation led detectives to believe the marijuana was grown at the property for the purposes of being distributed out of the state. Officers also seized two guns and a large sum of money.

Officers also found unpermitted electrical hazards, including dangerous building modifications located on site. Black mold and leaking septic were also located on the premises. While investigators were on scene, large compost piles from the marijuana disposal on the property began to combust, resulting in a fire danger to surrounding properties. Redmond Fire extinguished the compost piles to avoid a possible wildfire.