The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics (OBN) on Thursday, December 7, 2023 served a Search Warrant at QD Farms, LLC. (35405 Courtney Road, Ringling, Oklahoma) tied to an investigation into a marijuana grow operating illegally using a fraudulent ‘straw owner’ structure.
“A ‘straw owner’ is someone often paid to be listed on the license as the Owner of the business so they can pass the background check and meet Oklahoma’s residency requirement, but they have no real involvement in the business.” —OBN Spokesman Mark Woodward
OBN seized 14,356 plants. Arrests are pending as this investigation is on-going. OBN Agents were assisted by the Love County Sheriff’s Department and the Love County Commission during Thursday’s Search Warrant.
“Since 2021, OBN has shut down more than 1,000 marijuana grows, arrested over 200 individuals and seized nearly 800,000 pounds of marijuana as part of criminal investigations for operating with a license obtained by fraud and/or growing for the out-of-state black market.” —OBN Director Donnie Anderson
As a result of these OBN enforcement efforts, Director Anderson says Oklahoma’s medical marijuana program has seen a drastic reduction in the number of criminal organizations operating illegal farms in Oklahoma. OBN Registrations for growers dropped from 9,400 in 2021, to 6,400 in 2022, and today that number is down to approximately 3,200.
Anyone with information about criminal drug activity can anonymously DM details to OBN via Facebook or call the OBN Tip-line at 1-800-522-8031.
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