A federal grand jury has indicted 51 people in the newest conspiracy case alleging black-market marijuana has been distributed from illegal grows in Oklahoma throughout the United States.
The U.S. Justice Department said in a news release that at least 29 of the defendants were from China.
The grand jury returned the indictment in Oklahoma City federal court on April 21. It was made public April 27 after more than half the defendants were arrested in a coordinated law enforcement takedown.
The main conspirators were identified as Li Shun Chen, 53, an alleged “broker,” and Ying Wang, 45, an alleged “transporter.” Both are from Oklahoma City and have been arrested. Their attorneys did not respond to requests for comment from The Oklahoman in time for this story.
“This case underscores the threat posed by nationwide criminal organizations that exploit Oklahoma’s marijuana laws to produce and distribute large quantities of black-market marijuana across the country,” said Robert Troester, the U.S. attorney in Oklahoma City.
Black-market marijuana from the illegal grows went to Texas, Mississippi, Kansas and North Carolina, the federal prosecutor said.
The illegal grows were in Tonkawa, Stratford, Hennessey, Duncan, Chickasha and Edmond, according to the indictment. Approximately 61,000 marijuana plants and 550 kilograms of processed marijuana were seized during the investigation of the conspiracy, the Justice Department said.
In search warrant applications, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration told a judge it began its investigation in January 2025. A DEA task force officer reported in an affidavit one courier was tracked going to several casinos “where it is believed he launders U.S. currency he receives from the illegal sale of marijuana.”
Oklahomans approved medical marijuana in 2018. Many of the thousands of grows that sprang up afterward turned out to be operating illegally and have been shut down.
In his final State of the State address, Gov. Kevin Stitt in February called for a new vote of the people on medical marijuana − this time to end it.
“One of the greatest threats to public safety is the out-of-control marijuana industry,” Stitt said.
Also, Attorney General Gentner Drummond has made his efforts against illegal grows a key point in his bid to become Oklahoma’s next governor. “He took them on − and won!” a recent campaign mailer said.
Drummond has alleged that Chinese cartels were behind many of the illegal grows. In February, the attorney general announced the capture in New York City of an alleged drug “kingpin” behind a Chinese syndicate’s illegal marijuana operation in Oklahoma.
Hao Tong Chen, 34, was charged in a state indictment with racketeering, conspiracy and other offenses. He has denied wrongdoing. An Oklahoma County district judge on April 27 ordered him held without bail.