Oklahoma authorities conduct massive raids at illegal marijuana operations

By Dale Denwalt, Oklahoma, February 22, 2022, /Oklahoman/

Oklahoma drug enforcement officers conducted a massive raid of nine marijuana grow operations across the state early Tuesday, targeting criminal organizations that are believed to have transported black market cannabis out of state.

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics led the multi-agency operation with more than 200 state, federal and local law enforcement officers executing search warrants and arrest warrants. The raids also targeted three residences in Edmond, Norman and Mustang that are believed to have been involved in illegal shipments.

OBN said this raid is the largest marijuana-related bust in Oklahoma history, a move cracking down on an industry that has exploded in the state since it was legalized in 2018. Now, the state boasts more retail dispensaries than any other state in the country, and a surplus of supply grown within Oklahoma borders. The conditions have led to increased black-market sales and fraudulent business structures, OBN officials said.

“Oklahoma is not a safe haven for criminals who think they can hide behind a Medical Marijuana License

–Donnie Anderson, Director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics

“For over a year, OBN has been targeting numerous individuals and organizations that have moved to Oklahoma from out-of-state and used fraudulent business structures and ‘ghost owners’ to obtain their Oklahoma Medical Marijuana licenses,” said OBN spokesman Mark Woodward. “These criminals try to blend into our state’s medical marijuana program while trafficking marijuana onto the illicit market around the United States, laundering money and moving millions of dollars in illicit drug proceeds overseas.”

‘All 77 counties’: Authorities say Oklahoma now a source state for black market cannabis

Woodward says the investigation identified brokers moving millions of dollars in marijuana from multiple Oklahoma farms onto black markets in states including, but not limited to California, North Carolina, Missouri, Indiana and Texas.

Arrest warrants were issued for 13 individuals in Oklahoma, along with one in California and three in Texas. Five have been arrested already, and more arrests are expected as the investigation continues.

The raids netted an estimated 100,000 plants and over 2,000 pounds of processed marijuana, according to OBN. The agency will also file asset forfeiture cases against multiple vehicles, bank accounts, cash, equipment and at least eight of the properties involved. Woodward said those arrested in this operation face a variety of charges, including aggravated trafficking and aggravated manufacturing.

During a press conference Tuesday, just hours after the 8 a.m. raids began, OBN Director Donnie Anderson said the farm workers will not be targeted for arrest.

“They’re workers. They’re not criminals. They’re not an interest to us in an investigation,” Anderson said.

Anderson said the agency tries to make sure that if there is any type of human trafficking that’s going on, OBN offers services, talks to the individuals, identifies who they are and then lets them go.

Woodward said that officials believe many workers at illegal marijuana farms across the state are victims of labor trafficking.

“However, most are desperate for work, so they don’t complain, and without a victim we can’t file charges of human trafficking,” Woodward said. “But we are doing what we can to assist the workers and hopefully, some will have the courage to speak out.”

More of these large-scale law enforcement operations are planned as OBN continues to investigate hundreds of suspected illegal marijuana growing operations around the state, OBN officials said.

We are sending a clear and powerful message today that Oklahoma is not a safe haven for criminals who think they can hide behind a medical marijuana license. My agency is committed to aggressively targeting and dismantling these marijuana trafficking organizations that threaten the safety and well-being of our citizens and the law-abiding marijuana businesses in our state,” Anderson said.

Agencies involved in the investigation include OBN, the federal Drug Enforcement Agency, Homeland Security investigators, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, along with state, tribal and local law enforcement in Oklahoma, Missouri and Iowa.

OMMA joins in enforcement efforts

Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority Director Adria Berry said the OMMA is working with law enforcement agencies to help identify and shut down allegedly criminal activity.

Eight out of the nine farms were licensed and in good standing with OMMA.

“To our current licensees, let this serve as a warning: If you are engaging in criminal operations, your actions will not go unnoticed,” Berry said. “We are joining forces with other law enforcement agencies, bolstering our enforcement and inspection procedures, and preparing to implement a seed-to-sale tracking system that will make it even more difficult to take advantage of this industry or jeopardize the safety of our fellow Oklahomans.

“I take our public protection mandate seriously, and I have directed my staff to capitalize on any opportunity to take down the bad actors that exist within this industry,” Berry said.

Targeting black market

At Tuesday’s press conference, Gov. Kevin Stitt praised OBN and other law enforcement for their actions. He said about 140 members of the Oklahoma National Guard were called up to assist with site cleanup.

“Just two weeks ago in my State of the State, I told Oklahomans that bad actors have no place in Oklahoma. I said we will find them. We will hunt them down, we will bring them to justice. And that’s exactly what we’re doing today,” Stitt said.

The largest farm raided Tuesday was Big Buddha Farms in Wilson, directly south of Oklahoma City near Ardmore. Drone video of the raid released at the press conference showed a convoy of police vehicles descend on the 80-acre farm as officers began searching some of the more than 500 structures on the premises.

The homes in Edmond, Norman and Mustang were used as a private residence for a person of interest, a stash house for money and a stash house for marijuana on its way out of the state, Anderson said.

A woman arrested on Tuesday was described as a “very large target” who acted as a broker moving marijuana around the United States and out of the country. 

Residential search warrant locations

• 1805 NW 146th Street, Edmond
• 307 Creekdale, Norman
• 11513 SW 58th, Mustang

Marijuana farms being searched

• 594 Bear Hollow, Wilson (Big Buddha Farms)
• 182681 N. 3030 Rd., Ratliff City (Xinglong LLC)
• 1311 County Rd. 1390, Chickasha (Space Queen Farms)
• 13481 Sartin Rd., Madill (M Green Farms)
• 25720 Batson Rd., Burneyville (KYY Farms)
• 339243 E. 890 Rd., Chandler (Green Queen Farms)
• 339250 E. 890 Rd., Chandler (Green Princess Farms)
• 1699 Highway 81, Amber (Forest Lake Farms)
• 805 Anshultz, Wilson (Soft Green Farms)

Staff writer Dale Denwalt covers Oklahoma’s economy and business news for The Oklahoman. Have a story idea for Dale? He can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter at @denwalt.

This article was first posted on The Oklahoman