The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics has ended a two-month undercover drug sting in Payne and Creek counties resulting in numerous arrest warrants. OBN Spokesman Mark Woodward says agents and officers from several departments fanned out around 6:30 Friday morning armed with arrest warrants for 26 defendants accused of selling drugs to undercover OBN agents.
Mark Woodward: “In 2006, OBN created a Mobile Operations Team (M.O.T.). This unit is designed to identify and target drug suspects within specific communities, statewide. In March and April of this year, OBN agents assigned to our M.O.T. unit worked in Payne and Creek counties making undercover drug buys from several dealers in Cushing and Drumright. Today, our M.O.T unit wrapped up its investigation by rounding up those defendants.”
Woodward says the undercover drug buys involved methamphetamine, marijuana, and prescription drugs. The defendants in this investigation were booked into the Payne County Jail and will face State charges of Distribution of a Controlled Dangerous Substance. OBN Director Darrell Weaver says this investigation emphasizes the importance of the M.O.T. unit.
Darrell Weaver: "The drug issues are affecting all of Oklahoma and I commend local law enforcement as we stand shoulder to shoulder and strive to make their communities safer. By arresting 26 individuals in the Cushing and Drumright areas, we will send a message that we will not tolerate drug distributors and their illicit activities. We must be diligent and have great resolve when battling the evils that will destroy our great state."
13 defendants were in custody and 1 meth lab seized. Previous M.O.T investigations have taken place in Woodward, Bartlesville, Stillwater, Clinton, Claremore, McAlester, Altus, Guymon and Idabel. Assisting with the investigation and today’s warrant sweep include OBN, Cushing Police Department, Drumright Police Department, the Payne County Sheriff’s Department and the Creek County Sheriff’s Department.