40,000 plants, 1,000 pounds of marijuana seized in major drug and ICE bust

With every passing day, the choice Oklahoma made to legalize marijuana yields a progressively worse harvest:

More than 40,000 marijuana plants, 1,000 lbs. of processed marijuana seized in Organized Crime Task Force sting in Mayes, Craig counties

OKLAHOMA CITY (June 26, 2025) – Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced today that a large-scale bust of an illegal marijuana grow operation in Mayes and Craig counties led by his Organized Crime Task Force (OCTF) has resulted in the confiscation of 40,723 marijuana plants and more than 1,000 pounds of processed marijuana.

Qi Wei Chen, a 35-year-old Chinese national, faces charges in Craig County for aggravated manufacturing of a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana), trafficking of a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana), and possession of a firearm in commission of a felony.

“The Organized Crime Task Force and its partner agencies across the state are having a meaningful impact attacking the illegal marijuana trade that has infiltrated Oklahoma since the 2018 legalization of medical marijuana,” Drummond said. “The Chinese crime syndicates and Mexican drug cartels are getting the message loud and clear that they are not welcome in Oklahoma. We will not let up until this scourge is erased from our state.”

The June 24 law enforcement operation included assistance from a host of partner agencies, including the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service, Craig County Sheriff’s Office, Delaware County Sheriff’s Office, District 13 District Attorney’s Task Force, Grand River Dam Authority, Homeland Security Investigations, Mayes County Sheriff’s Office, Mayes County District 3 Commissioner, Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority and the 63rd Civil Support Team of the Oklahoma Army National Guard.

U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained for deportation 15 individuals found working at the clandestine facilities.

Authorities confiscated six handguns and three silencers.

The sting operation culminated from an investigation that began earlier this month when several vehicles with out-of-state license plates appeared to be hauling untagged processed marijuana from various sites in Vinita.

'Every person arrested or indicted is presumed innocent unless and until convicted in a court of law.'