Six people charged with conspiracy and drug trafficking in Oklahoma

Six people have been charged with conspiracy and drug trafficking in Oklahoma, for their involvement in two large-scale illegal marijuana operations that were busted by the state’s Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) and other law enforcement agencies. The grand jury indicted the suspects on March 7, 2024, after hearing evidence from the OCTF and the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA), which conducted the raids in November 2023 and January 2024.

The raids resulted in the seizure of more than 150,000 pounds of untraceable and untagged marijuana plants, as well as harvested marijuana, firearms, and cash. The suspects are accused of submitting false information to the OMMA about the ownership and compliance of their marijuana grow facilities, and of defrauding the state and the public. The suspects are also accused of violating the state’s medical marijuana laws, which are separate from the recreational marijuana program that was approved by the voters in November 2023.

The first case involves five suspects and a marijuana grow operation near Prague

The first case involves five suspects and a marijuana grow operation near Prague, in Pottawatomie County. The suspects are Paul Wayne Baxter, 67; Beng Di Chan, 46; Min Yong Chen, 56; Zeng Chen Lau, 54; and Chen Fu Lin, 36. They are charged with conspiracy to defraud the state, and aggravated manufacturing of a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana).

On Nov. 16, 2023, OCTF agents and OMMA compliance inspectors and agents served search warrants at six marijuana grow facilities near Prague, which were registered under the name of Cannabaxter Farms. The agents found more than 77,000 untraceable and untagged marijuana plants, nearly 2,000 pounds of untraceable and untagged harvested marijuana, and several firearms. The agents also discovered that the true owners of the facilities were not Baxter, but the other four suspects, who are foreign nationals.

The suspects allegedly submitted false information to the OMMA about the ownership and compliance of the facilities, and used Baxter as a front man to obtain the licenses. The suspects also allegedly violated the state’s medical marijuana laws, which limit the number of plants and the amount of marijuana that can be grown and possessed by a licensed entity. The suspects are facing up to life in prison if convicted.

The second case involves one suspect and a marijuana stash house in Bixby

The second case involves one suspect and a marijuana stash house in Bixby, in Tulsa County. The suspect is Kangbin Lee, 29. He is charged with six felony counts, including aggravated trafficking of a controlled dangerous substance in excess of 1,000 pounds of marijuana, manufacturing a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana), trafficking of a controlled dangerous substance in excess of 25 pounds of marijuana, possession of an offensive weapon while in the commission of a felony, possession of proceeds from unlawful activity, and a pattern of criminal offenses.

On Jan. 11, 2024, OCTF agents, along with the OMMA, the Muskogee County Sheriff’s Office, the Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, and the Bixby Police Department, raided a marijuana grow facility in Muskogee, which was registered under the name of Monster Farms. The agents found more than 73,000 untraceable and untagged marijuana plants, and traced the source of the marijuana to a stash house in Bixby, where they found another 1,000 pounds of marijuana, a firearm, and cash.

The suspect allegedly submitted false information to the OMMA about the compliance of the facility, and used a fake identity to obtain the license. The suspect also allegedly violated the state’s medical marijuana laws, which limit the number of plants and the amount of marijuana that can be grown and possessed by a licensed entity. The suspect is facing up to life in prison if convicted.

The attorney general praises the work of the OCTF and the law enforcement agencies

The attorney general, Gentner Drummond, praised the work of the OCTF and the law enforcement agencies that assisted in the investigations and the raids. He said that the illegal marijuana operations posed a dire threat to public safety and public health, and that the suspects exploited the state’s medical marijuana program and defrauded the state and the public. He said that his office would continue to do everything within its power to protect public safety and to prosecute the suspects.

“The menace of illegal marijuana grows run by foreign nationals is a dire threat to public safety in Oklahoma,” Drummond said. “This threat can only be eliminated through the concerted efforts of dedicated law enforcement professionals like the ones responsible for securing today’s indictments. My office will continue to do everything within our power to protect public safety and to prosecute these criminals to the fullest extent of the law.”