Illegal grow operation leads to multiple arrests

Multiple people were arrested after a tip leads officers to an illegal marijuana grow operation. On May 24, the Marshall County Sheriff’s Department, along with the Marshall County Ambulance Service, Chickasaw Nation Light Horse Police and the Madill Police Department, served a search warrant in Oakland on Third Street.

Officers applied for a search warrant after receiving information about the illegal marijuana grow operation. Immediately after receiving the search warrant, officers went to the residence to serve them.

During the bust, officers recovered approximately 150 to 200 pounds of finished marijuana product and $50,000 in cash. According to the press release from Sheriff Donald Yow, the money will be applied for forfeiture through the Marshall County District Court.

The search also uncovered other items. Officers seized three vehicles, a bobcat with loader and trencher and a trailer. These items will also be applied for forfeiture.

The bust led to 14 suspects being arrested and charged with Trafficking. The suspects do not speak English, so identifying them took time and effort. Fafu Chen, Qi Chen, Deren Shi are facing charges for Cultivation of CDS and Distribution. Shi is also facing charges for Obstruction, and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. Chen Bifang, Lin Chaojin, Xiang Guo Chen, Chen Dong, Shiju Dong, Gaoying Huang, Huang Fa Huo, Hua Ying Lin, Lianhua Ouyang, Jiang Ying and Shuiying are all facing charges for Cultivation of CDS. Qu Chen is also facing charges for Possession of CDS.

The MCSO said this search warrant was the second one served in Oakland for illegal marijuana grow operations. Yow said these investigations are important to stop illegal grows in Marshall County.

“Often, the illegal use of drugs leads to stolen property,” Yow said in the press release.

Yow noted that Marshall County isn’t the only location that is deal with an increase in thievery and it “makes the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office mad” when hardworking citizens are the victims of theft.

“We cover the entire county on patrol, and we are working on catching the thieves and getting them where they need and want to go – jail, and hopefully, the state penitentiary.”

Yow asked citizens to speak up if they see something suspicious. Even though it may seem trivial to the citizen, it could be the lead the MCSO needed to catch the bad guy.