OBN seizes thousands of marijuana plants in Checotah grow operation bust

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics’ Marijuana Enforcement Teams (MET) executed a search warrant Monday at a marijuana grow operation in Checotah as part of an ongoing investigation into fraudulent licensing and black market activity.

Agents served the warrant at OTOP & OTOC Group, LLC. on July 21, alleging the business was operating under an OBN registration obtained through a “straw ownership” scheme—a tactic often used to conceal the true ownership of grow operations tied to illicit trafficking.

During the search, agents seized 3,761 marijuana plants, 1,183 pounds of processed marijuana, and hundreds of vapes and other marijuana products. Arrests are pending as the investigation continues.

OBN’s MET agents were assisted by the McIntosh County Sheriff’s Office, District 25 Task Force, the Office of Inspector General, and the county commissioners’ offices in McIntosh and Okmulgee counties.

State Rep. Tim Turner, who represents House District 15, praised the operation and the work of OBN agents.

“Director Donnie Anderson has made it his mission to ensure Oklahoma is not a top 10 state for black market marijuana, and that mission is making a real impact,” Turner said in a statement. “Every time one of these illegal operations is shut down, we take another step toward protecting our communities and controlling black market marijuana sales.”

Since 2021, OBN has shut down more than 6,000 illegal marijuana farms through enforcement or administrative actions. At the end of 2022, there were approximately 8,400 active marijuana grow licenses in Oklahoma. That number has since dropped to about 2,100.

Citizens can report suspected drug or human trafficking activity anonymously by calling the OBN tip line at 800-522-8031.