Major Drug Enforcement Operation Identifies Dozens of HT Survivors

Written By Chelsey Passon

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

9/14/26

Salem Ore.- During a three-day operation last week, the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office Interagency Task Force (CCITF) and the Oregon State Police (OSP) Drug Enforcement Section worked to disrupt and dismantle a suspected drug trafficking organization linked to several illegal marijuana grows in Clackamas and Marion counties. As victims of human trafficking were identified throughout the operation, CCITF and OSP requested emergency on-scene crisis response and resources from local community based agencies. Service providers included Safety Compass, Anti-Trafficking Project (at:project): A Program of J Bar J, and Cannabis Workers Resilience Partnership (CWRP). These services included crisis intervention & safety planning from victims' advocates and service providers, basic necessities such as food and water, emergency rides to safety, and connection to emergency shelter and housing. Legal services connection was also available. Safety Compass provided confidential advocacy at each location. Through this multi-day operation, at least 57 potential survivors were identified and offered services and continued follow up support.

“When we arrived on scene we were shocked by the inhumane conditions at the sites,” a social service provider who responded shared. Advocates reported extremely unsanitary and overcrowded living conditions,  which sadly, is not uncommon at these types of sites.

Since the launch of Safety Compass’ Regional Labor Trafficking program in 2024, Safety Compass advocates have responded on-scene at the request of law enforcement and emergency response agencies to offer immediate, confidential support to survivors at various similar illegal grow operations. Advocates regularly hear from survivors that the traffickers use tactics such as withholding identification documents, imposing debt bondage, and threatening or committing violence to control people subjected to forced labor at these sites. The living conditions are also consistently inhumane, with people forced to sleep in tents or on pallets inside greenhouses or sheds, often without running water or electricity. 

“These sites have been incredibly unsanitary,” the service provider we spoke with said, sharing that because of the lack of plumbing, the only accessible toilets are often out-houses or porta potties that are rarely serviced. She described conditions as reflecting extreme poverty, and expressed concerns for the safety and health of everyone subject to exploitation at these illegal grow sites. Advocates also shared that because these sites do not have electricity, that also means there is no air conditioning- which is brutal in the heat of Oregon summers. 

Support services, resources, and case management continue to be offered to survivors identified through this multi-day operation. 

While we remain hopeful that survivors are recognized and offered help in our communities, we know that many victims of human trafficking remain unidentified and subject to violence and exploitation. If you suspect human trafficking in your community, please reach out to your local law enforcement to make a report.

Learn more:

If you are a survivor in crisis and need immediate support, call our 24/7 hotline to speak with a confidential advocate immediately at 971-235-0021.

Línea de apoyo para sobreviviente de 24 horas: 971-235-0021 

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Media Contact:
Chelsey Passon
Manager of Communications
Safety Compass
chelseys@safetycompass.org


Chelsey Passon
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