Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics’ Marijuana Enforcement Teams (MET) joined with several local, state and federal agencies in taking down a Murray County marijuana grow operation last week.
According to an OBN statement, the teams served a search warrant on Fortune Family Inc., on Dolberg Rd., as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged illegal cultivation of marijuana.
The OBN MET agents said their investigation determined the business has been growing marijuana without having an OBN Registration or OMMA License. Agents seized 1,392 marijuana plants and 214 pounds of processed marijuana during the raid on February 18. Arrests are anticipated as this case moves forward, agents said.
According to the statement, in 2021, OBN established full-time statewide Marijuana Enforcement Teams (OBN MET) to address the escalating presence of criminal organizations setting up marijuana operations in Oklahoma. OBN MET Agents have targeted operations tied to black market trafficking, and obtaining an OBN Registration by fraud using ‘straw ownership’ schemes.
At the end of 2022, there were 8,400 farms operating with an active OBN Registration. As of today, that number stands at less than 1,500 grows. Since 2022, OBN MET Agents have seized over 2.1 million illegal marijuana plants, more than 250,000 pounds of processed marijuana, and made over 400 arrests with additional arrests pending as many of these investigations remain ongoing, according to their report.
Citizens can anonymously report criminal drug and human traffi cking activity to OBN’s tip-line at 800-522-8031 or sending OBN a Facebook DM.
Assisting OBN MET Agents were HSI, ICE, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Murray County Sheriff’s Office, and the Murray County Commissioner’s Office.
Murray County Sheriff Darin Rogers said “several county deputies joined with state and federal agents in the grow operation take-down last week.
Rogers thanked OBN “for their continued dedication to the enforcement of Oklahoma marijuana laws here in Murray County.”
He also thanked the Murray County Board of County Commissioners for their assistance with manpower and equipment, and he encouraged citizens of Murry County to report any information regarding grow operations they may suspect by contacting dispatch at 580-622-3911.
