Alleged Traffickers Rounded Up In Major Law Enforcement Action July 16
An alleged drug trafficking ring operating in Murray County was taken down on July 16 after officers from multiple jurisdictions fanned out across the area, served 20 arrest warrants and confiscated drugs and firearms, authorities said.
In one of the largest drug enforcement operations in county history, a total of 18 suspects were arrested and charged while two more warrants remain outstanding.
Heading up the two-year-long investigation were agents of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN), Murray County Sheriff’s Office, and the Chickasaw Nation Light Horse Police Department. In addition to the 20 arrest warrants served, four search warrants were executed as officers moved in to take down what they described as “a drug trafficking organization moving large shipments of methamphetamine in southern Oklahoma.” OBN Director Donnie Anderson said 14 firearms were seized along with a quarter pound of meth.
“I am proud of the tireless work by our OBN Agents on this lengthy and complex investigation,” said Anderson. “And I am grateful to the Murray County Sheriff’s Office and the Chickasaw Nation Light Horse Police Department for helping with this case from the start. Meth remains one of Oklahoma’s leading killers, and my agency is committed to working with our local, federal, and tribal law enforcement partners to aggressively target those who are taking lives by moving this drug into our communities.”
The 18 suspects were booked into the Murray County Jail last week where they face a variety of charges including trafficking methamphetamine, said Anderson. Some were charged in Chickasaw Nation Tribal District Court.
Other agencies assisting in the operation, according to Anderson, included the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Anderson said citizens can anonymously report drug and human trafficking by sending OBN a Facebook DM.
Murray County Undersheriff Ben Flowers this week said the sheriff’s office joined with OBN in December, 2023 to launch a probe into local drug trafficking. “This investigation proved to be difficult and time consuming,” said Flowers. “Agents and deputies spent hours conducting surveillance, controlled buys, undercover buys, and completing case logs.”
According to Flowers, between December, 2023 and April, 2025, the investigation had spilled over into several judicial districts as agents and deputies began intercepting telecommunications among persons targeted in the investigation.
Flowers said over the course of the long probe, a total of 10 pounds of methamphetamine were intercepted by law enforcement officers and 20 arrest warrants issued. Additionally, about three pounds of psylocibin, marijuana, and multiple fire arms were confiscated.
“This investigation is ongoing, and as new information is collected additional warrants will be sought,” he said.
Murray County Sheriff Darin Rogers this week thanked the many agencies assisting in the investigation including: Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, Oklahoma Highway Patrol, National Park Service, Chickasaw Nation Lighthorse Police Dept., Pottawatomie County Sheriff’s Office, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Drug Enforcement Agency, Ardmore Police Dept., Sulphur Police Dept., and Davis Police Dept.
Those arrested in the investigating and facing charges in Murray County District Court and/or Chickasaw Nation Tribal Court are listed below along with the charge.
See Book-In Photos Of Suspects Arrested In July 16 Drug Probe
--Back Page-- Murray County District Court
•Edwards, Jacob Wade, conspiracy to trafficking in illegal drugs (Meth)
•Gilliland, Shawn, conspiracy to trafficking in illegal drugs (Meth)
•Sands, Tommy Ray, conspiracy to trafficking in illegal drugs (Meth)
•Arles, Jimmy Joe, Sr., conspiracy to trafficking in illegal drugs (Meth)
•McCracken, Selcia Suzanne, conspiracy to trafficking in illegal drugs (Meth)
•Rankin, Ronald Wilfred, conspiracy to trafficking in illegal drugs (Meth)
•Kopsky, David Lee, conspiracy to trafficking in illegal drugs (Meth)
•Swartz, Andrew (Drew) Craig, conspiracy to trafficking in illegal drugs (Meth)
•Click, Avery, conspiracy to trafficking in illegal drugs (Meth)
•Alexander, Danny Joshua, conspiracy to trafficking in illegal drugs (Meth)
•Hill, John Walter Nevins, conspiracy to trafficking in illegal drugs (Meth)
•Edwards, Sharon Kay, conspiracy to trafficking in illegal drugs (Meth)
•Pierce, Dallas Rhea, conspiracy to trafficking in illegal drugs (Meth)
•Britt, Larry Dale, conspiracy to trafficking in illegal drugs (Meth) Chickasaw Nation Tribal Court
•Brown, Michael, conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substance
•Sojo, Lesa, conspiracy of possession of controlled dangerous substance with intent to distribute
•McCracken, Johnnie D., integrated crimes-maintaining place where controlled dangerous substances are kept
•Morris, Jamaeca, conspiracy to distribute controlled dangerous substance.
