Six indicted for with large-scale illegal marijuana operations

“The menace of illegal marijuana grows run by foreign nationals is a dire threat to public safety in Oklahoma,” said Attorney General Gentner Drummond. “This threat can only be eliminated through the concerted efforts of dedicated law enforcement professionals like the ones responsible for securing today’s indictments. My o*ce will continue to do everything within our power to protect public safety.”

In the Krst case, jurors indicted Paul Wayne Baxter, 67; Beng Di Chan, 46; Min Yong Chen, 56; Zeng Chen Lau, 54; and Chen Fu Lin, 36, for conspiracy to defraud the State in relation to a Nov. 16, 2023, marijuana seizure in Pottawatomie County. At that time, OCTF agents and Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) compliance inspectors and agents were serving warrants at several marijuana grow facilities near Prague. That sweep yielded more than 77,000 untraceable and untagged marijuana plants, nearly 2,000 pounds of untraceable and untagged harvested marijuana plants, and an assortment of Krearms. District Attorney Adam Panter's Drug Task Force also assisted in the operation.

Baxter faces Kve counts of aggravated manufacturing of a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana), while Beng, Min, Zeng and Chen face one count apiece. Min is charged with possession of an offensive weapon while in commission of a felony, while he and Baxter face one count each of possession of proceeds from illegal activity. All Kve are accused of submitting false information to the OMMA about the true ownership of Cannabaxter Farms. All the charges are felonies.

In the second case, Kangbin Lee, 29, is indicted on six felony counts stemming from a Jan. 11 bust at Monster Farms in Muskogee. He faces one count each of aggravated tra*cking of a controlled dangerous substance in excess of 1,000 pounds of marijuana, manufacturing a controlled dangerous substance (marijuana), tra*cking of a controlled dangerous substance in excess of 25 pounds of marijuana, possession of an offensive weapon while in the commission of a felony, possession of proceeds from unlawful activity, and a pattern of criminal offenses.

In addition to OCTF agents, the operation included the OMMA and the Muskogee County Sheriff’s O*ce. The Muskogee investigation led to an alleged half-million-dollar marijuana “stash house” in Bixby, where the Tulsa County Sheriff’s O*ce and the Bixby Police Department assisted in uncovering additional marijuana and several

Krearms.

The bust originated with information received on the Attorney General’s Illegal Marijuana Tipline. A complaint form is available at oag.ok.gov by clicking on the “Illegal Marijuana Tipline” tab. Tips also can be sent to illegalgrow@oag.ok.gov. Tipsters can remain anonymous.