JENNINGS — On Friday, July 11, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics Marijuana Enforcement Teams executed a search warrant at HotStar Farm, LLC in Jennings, located in Pawnee County. According to an OBN media release, there was 34,263 live plants and 378 pounds of processed marijuana seized.
According to officials, nine people were detained, including four who were placed in the custody of agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The raid was part of an ongoing investigation involving a straw ownership scheme, which involves an individual holding ownership of the grow operation on behalf of another. For investigators at OBI, this has been an indication of fraudulent OBN registrations in the past. Assistance was provided by the Pawnee County Sheriff’s Office and Pawnee County Commissioners.
According to the release, marijuana enforcement agents have shut down over 6,000 illegal marijuana grow operations through enforcement and administrative measures, primarily targeting farms connected to black market distribution and fraudulent licensing practices. In late 2022, approximately 8,400 farms had active OBN registrations — that number has dropped to around 2,100 since.
The public is encouraged to report suspected drug or human trafficking activities anonymously by calling the OBN tip line at 800-522-8031.