State agents on Wednesday descended on five illegal marijuana grow operations in and around Woodward, hauling away what authorities say was a massive cache of plants and product. The Attorney General's Organized Crime Task Force led the coordinated sweep, hitting locations inside the city and on nearby rural properties. Neighbors watched as law enforcement units cycled through, and crews hauled out lighting rigs and drying equipment piece by piece.
What investigators recovered
Investigators said they seized more than 30,000 live marijuana plants and roughly 200 pounds of processed marijuana, arrested one person and arranged the deportation of six undocumented workers. The raids were carried out with help from the Oklahoma National Guard's 63rd Civil Support Team, the Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, the Woodward County Sheriff's Office, Woodward police and federal partners including U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to The Oklahoman.
Statewide crackdown, AG says
Attorney General Gentner Drummond framed the Woodward raids as part of a broader push to dismantle criminal marijuana trafficking across Oklahoma and said his office would "continue to aggressively combat these criminal organizations until they are driven out of our state" in a news release. His office has pointed to a steep decline in the number of licensed grows since 2023 as evidence that the crackdown is having an effect, per a release from the Attorney General's Office.
Where the searches took place
Officials identified the five operations by business registrations as Green Leaf LLC, Purple Leaf LLC, Gold Leaf LLC, Silver Leaf LLC and Green Manor LLC. Agents served warrants at multiple properties tied to those entities and searched several apartments at Blue Sage Estates. Investigators described the locations as industrial-scale indoor grows packed with high-intensity lights, drying racks and processing equipment, and said crews removed the gear as evidence, according to The Oklahoman.
Next steps and community impact
Prosecutors and federal partners will keep combing through ownership records and shipment routes as the investigation moves forward. Local authorities said they focused on providing security for the operation and urged residents to contact state investigators with tips about suspected illegal grows. Officials have not yet announced any additional charges.
