EUGENE, Ore. -- Residents are surprised Wednesday after learning a man registered to grow medical marijuana has been identified in connection with an illegal growing operation in Eugene and West Linn.

The 33-year old is registered under Oregon Medical Marijuana Program (OMMP) to be a grower for one patient. Multiple charges are pending against the suspect whose name is withheld until an arrest is made.

After an eight-month long investigation, an interagency Lane County narcotics enforcement team discovered four indoor growing operations in Eugene and West Linn.

Oregon State Police and Lane County law enforcement served search warrants at three adjacent houses located on Wilkes Drive in Eugene. They seized 1,127 marijuana plants. They also seized two firearms and a large amount of growing equipment.

The suspect told investigators the grow operation produced about 13 pounds of usable marijuana every 30 days and sold for $3,200 per pound. He is registered as a grower for one patient under OMMP and is only permitted to possess 6 mature marijuana plants, 18 seedlings, and 1 1/2 pounds of usable marijuana.

Detectives said the homes were used solely for growing marijuana.

They also found numerous hazardous electrical code violations within the houses resulting from modified wiring to power several grow lights. City of Eugene Code Enforcement was contacted.

Investigators served a search warrant at a fourth house in West Linn where they seized 149 marijuana plants and a firearm.

Multiple charges are also pending including a seperate criminal offense because the operation happend within 1,000 feet of a school.