The takedown resulted from an indictment filed this week charging 22 individuals for two counts of methamphetamine drug conspiracy and other charges. Twelve indicted defendants were arrested and three others were already in custody.
The alleged crimes involved couriers and distributors of methamphetamine transported from Mexico. The deadly drug was brought up to Tulsa and then provided to distributors who sold the methamphetamine in the Northern District of Oklahoma
“Today’s takedown of another drug trafficking operation is a reminder that even in the midst of a pandemic, illicit drugs are making their way into our communities,” said U.S. Attorney Trent Shores. “In the last two weeks, federal prosecutors have charged more than 50 defendants for their roles in heroin or methamphetamine distribution networks. I’m thankful for the diligent work of the hundreds of law enforcement officers who made these arrests happen.”
Count 1 of the indictment charges 14 defendants, including couriers and distributors, with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine and to distribute 500 grams or more of methamphetamine.
In Count 2 of the indictment, six defendants are charged with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine and to distributing methamphetamine. The accused distributors named in Count 2 allegedly worked together to mutually benefit from the illicit drug sales. The remaining counts involve drug deals made on different dates by multiple defendants.
This effort is part of an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) operation. OCDETF identifies, disrupts, and dismantles organizations that threaten the United States using a prosecutor-led, intelligence-driven, multi-agency approach. Additional information about the OCDETF Program can be found at https://www.justice.gov/OCDETF.
Thursday’s law enforcement action was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs in partnership with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Tulsa Police Department, Thursday’s law enforcement action was led by the Drug Enforcement Administration and Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs in partnership with the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Tulsa Police Department, Tulsa County Sheriff’s Office, Broken Arrow Police Department, Rogers County District Attorney’s Office, Miami Police Department, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and in Kansas- the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, Parsons Police Department and Labette County Sheriff’s Office.Assistant U.S. Attorney Eric O. Johnston is prosecuting the case.