Oklahoma thieves pose as cops and raid several pot farms

On March 13, a group of six people – in credible law enforcement gear – issued a fake search warrant and attempted a brazen assault on a medical cannabis cultivation facility in Hughes County, Oklahoma. Additional locations were hit the next day, including a medical cannabis store in Seminole County. Over 100 pounds of cannabis, machines, cash and cell phones were stolen. Law enforcement officials believe the rash of the incidents are linked.

The names of the cannabis companies were not released. Cannabis farms are already a target given the value of cannabis, but being forced to deal in cash due to cannabis’ federal status makes the industry a bit more dangerous.

Mark Woodward, spokesman for the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control (OBN), agrees. “I think that makes them a target,” Woodward told the High Times. “There are people who see an easy way to get cannabis, money and cell phones very quickly – especially from a vulnerable population.”

The group of bandits wore uniforms and masks and said they worked for the “Oklahoma Marijuana Board,” which does not exist, and they wore Oklahoma Highway Patrol uniforms. They demanded cash for an alleged fine for compliance violations. However, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) would have jurisdiction over compliance if there was an actual violation of compliance. OMMA officials are not demanding that fines be paid immediately at gunpoint.

Woodward suspects that criminals target immigrant cannabis workers, who often find work in the fields of cannabis farms or in other roles. As it turns out, COVID has pushed thousands of Chinese migrant workers into the land of Oklahoma’s cannabis farms. The “trimmigrant” phenomenon seen in other states has also taken hold in Oklahoma.

“These farms, where there are often Chinese workers who don’t speak English — they’re not going to recognize traditional law enforcement,” Woodward said. “You’re not familiar with what Oklahoma law enforcement looks like, or what uniforms might look like, or how a fraudulent search warrant compares to legitimate ones. That’s what these criminals rely on. That’s why they targeted these particular farms. They saw it as an easy opportunity to take advantage of these workers and go to the farm and take produce. They also took some cell phones and cash.”

Woodward told The Oklahoman that one person was taken into custody. Cash and cannabis attract these criminals, he said.

District Attorney Paul Smith, representing Hughes and Seminole counties, will lead the investigation. The District Attorney’s Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force will join the Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigations to investigate cases of robbery, kidnapping and drug trafficking.

At one company, an employee immediately frantically texted her attorney, Donald Gies, and discovered over the speakerphone that the agents weren’t legitimate. One of the scammers wore a Darth Maul Halloween mask. At another farm, thieves tied up workers and stole 100 pounds of cannabis, their machines, cell phones and cash.

“There’s one in Hughes County that they mugged over the weekend, then my client who was number two, and then they went down the street [the third farm]’ Gies told the High Times. Gies’ client went through a terrible situation but dealt with it as best as possible at the time.

Gies told KOCO 5 that the bandits tried to raid his client’s farm, gave up, and then raided a second farm down the road. At the second farm, the bandits tied the workers up at gunpoint and took away 100 pounds of cannabis and machinery. He also told News 9 that their uniforms looked like Oklahoma Highway Patrol uniforms and wore masks.

We asked Gies how other Oklahoma businesses can protect themselves. “I have a mental checklist,” he said. “First and foremost – keep a folder near your door containing your active OMMA license and OBN registration number. So if an officer is at your door, you can report it immediately. Second, they ask for identification, ID card numbers and which authority.”

Gies continued, “In our case, I could hear my client do this over the speakerphone and they said ‘Oklahoma Marijuana Board,’ which doesn’t exist. So we found out they weren’t cops. Then ask for the search warrant. Before allowing anyone into your space, the warrant must state the person’s name, address, reason, and be signed by a judge. I know this in an intense moment but this will show you accuracy. Finally, I would call your attorney and put him on speakerphone. That actually helped my client the most. The criminal was aware that she had access to the outside world.”

Adria Berry, director of OMMA, said in a March 15 briefing that there were ongoing efforts to improve the organization’s enforcement and prosecution capabilities.

“We encourage OMMA-licensed businesses to contact local law enforcement if they are suspicious of an individual or group claiming to be an OMMA investigator,” an OMMA representative told the High Times. “Licensees can ask officers to identify themselves. If they are OMMA correctional officers, they will be armed and may produce a badge and service card bearing their photograph, title, the OMMA emblem and the State Department of Health logo. Typically, agents also wear a black polo shirt with an OMMA Enforcement emblem.”