Special agents seized thousands of marijuana plants and several hundred pounds of pot from a grow facility that was operating illegally in Seminole County this week.

On Tuesday, April 29, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics’ (OBN) Marijuana Enforcement Teams (MET) served a Search Warrant at Blue Skyline LLC, 3166 NS 368 Rd. in Wewoka, for operating with an OBN registration that was obtained by fraud using a “straw ownership’ scheme. According to a press release, agents seized 25,252 plants and 451 pounds of processed marijuana.

“Thia is one of several thousand grow operations that we have shut down for operating illegally,” OBN spokesperson Mark Woodward said. “What happens in these straw ownerships is, people who have not been here for two years as required by law pay someone who is squeaky clean to be listed as the owner. This is a scam, because the real owners have criminal backgrounds and move a lot of the product out of the state.”

Woodward added that arrests are pending as the investigation continues.

OBN and MET agents were assisted by the Hughes County Sheriff’s Office, DEA Agents, ICE Agents, and the Hughes County Commissioner’s Office.

“Hughes County authorities were very instrumental in helping us carry out this operation. We are very grateful for their help,” Woodward said.

OBN is authorized to enforce the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substance Act (UCDSA). OBN is also authorized to investigate criminal offenses related to human trafficking and money laundering.