Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond announced the dismantling of the Hao Chen Organization following a multi-state marijuana trafficking investigation. Operation Blunt Force resulted in the arrest of 20 individuals connected to the organization, as per the Oklahoma Attorney General's Office release.
The operation, conducted in partnership with 27 law enforcement agencies nationwide, recovered approximately one million pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $1.5 billion. Authorities executed more than 50 search warrants, seized 12 firearms, and four individuals were deported.
The investigation focused on fraudulent medical marijuana licensing in Oklahoma, where the organization allegedly used a "straw owner" system to obtain licenses and registrations. Large cash deposits and wire transfers traced to multiple states and China were uncovered, as per the same release.
The operation involved agencies including the DEA, FBI Oklahoma City, ICE, and local sheriff’s offices and police departments across four time zones. Attorney General Drummond stated the effort targeted illegal activity undermining the state’s licensing system and will continue to protect Oklahoma’s regulated medical marijuana program.
