And Dangerous Drugs Control s7

PRESSOKLAHOMA BUREAU RELEASE OF NARCOTICS AND DANGEROUS DRUGS CONTROL

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 18, 2007 CONTACT: OBNDD SPOKESMAN MARK WOODWARD, (405) 521-2885 OR (800) 522- 8031

STATE AND FEDERAL LAW ENFORCEMENT DISMANTLE MEXICAN METH DISTRIBUTION NETWORK

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, US Drug Enforcement Administration, and the District Attorneys Drug Task Force 18 have halted an organization distributing large quantities of Mexican methamphetamine in Eastern and Southeastern Oklahoma. Mark Woodward, OBN Spokesman, says dozens of federal, state and local officers began serving 34 arrest warrants early this morning at locations in Pittsburg, Hughes and Atoka counties, as well as Dallas, Texas as part of an investigation that began over a year ago.

“This investigation, which was a spin-off from a case we worked in 2006, targeted numerous individuals who would arrange for meth from Mexico to be trafficked into Oklahoma and distributed on the streets in several communities. Since 2004 when our state passed a landmark pseudoephedrine control law, local meth labs have been drastically reduced. Meth users are having to rely more on Mexican drug organizations to funnel the drug into Oklahoma. Federal, state and local law enforcement are now turning resources and attention toward the individuals heading up these organizations. ----OBN Spokesman Mark Woodward

Woodward says it was not uncommon for this organization to order and distribute between two and ten pounds of meth, weekly. The 34 defendants in this case face federal and state charges of meth distribution and money laundering. James L. Capra, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Division says these cooperative efforts send a powerful message to those trying to profit from illicit drug sales in Oklahoma.

“Today, we have come together with many of our law enforcement partners to achieve a common goal. The dismantling of this Mexican methamphetamine distribution network is a major success in its own right. The far bigger success however, is that we have sent a profound message to any and all remaining drug dealers; that the law enforcement partnerships are solid, strong, and willing to go the distance to make our communities safe for our citizens. ” ----James L. Capra, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration’s Dallas Division.

R Darrell Weaver, Director of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics, agrees. Weaver says Oklahoma law enforcement will continue working together with an aggressive, proactive approach to unplug Mexican drug networks.

"We will not succeed any communities to drug traffickers and drug conspirators in Oklahoma. We will stand shoulder to shoulder with all law enforcement to combat this evil that can destroy the good we all stand for in our state. We have homeland security issues that we are all concerned about, but I submit that we also have hometown security issues that we must address. These hometown terrorist take names such as crack cocaine and methamphetamine or “ice”, and our state must have much resolve when dealing with these unwanted, destructive elements" ----R.Darrell Weaver, Director

In connection with the investigation, authorities served 7 search warrants on Tuesday in Pittsburg, Atoka and Hughes Counties. Authorities seized 2 ounces of meth, five thousand (5,000) pseudoephedrine tablets, and nearly 50 firearms. Assisting with the arrest warrants this morning were OBN, DEA, the US Attorneys Office for Eastern Oklahoma, District 18 and 22 District Attorneys Drug Task Forces, McAlester Police Department, and the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Support was also provided from the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation and the Oklahoma National Guard.

(THE FOLLOWING IS A PARTIAL LIST OF THOSE IN CUSTODY. SOME NAMES ARE BEING WITHHELD AT THIS TIME) NAME DOB NUMBER ADDRESS TOWN

1 BALDWIN, JESSICA 9/19/1983 PO BOX 734 HARTSHORNE OK

3 BLANSETT, JARRED 9/22/1982 RR 6 BOX 54A MCALESTER OK

4 CHAVERS, EVO SABRINA 12/21/81 1888 PO BOX MCALESTER OK

6 JACK RICE 6/25/1945 2620 N. ASH ST MCALESTER OK

7 TERRY "PEEWEE" FORD 4/9/1985 PO BOX 3803 MCALESTER OK 119 SUGAR PINE LN APT 7 O FFALLON, OK

8 FRY, BRYAN 11/19/1981 RT 6, BOX R216A MCALESTER OK

9 GIBSON, DAVIS (HOOT) 11/3/1958 2801 N ROBIN ST MCALESTER OK 2110 N 11 MCALESTER OK

10 GODWIN, STEPHANIE D 12/31/1976 1007 E KIOWA AVE MCALESTER OK AKA: WOOD, STEPHEN D RR6 BOX 77R MCALESTER OK RR 6 BOX 77R MCALESTER OK RR 6, Box 77R MCALESTER OK

11 HACKLER, GLEN JR. (BUBBA) 10/3/1969 RR 1 BOX 351 HAYWOOD OK

16 MACCHIRELLA, JARED M 9/23/1975 OK

19 MCCONATHY, BILLY 6/6/1972 91 W BREWER AVE MCALESTER OK

23 RIDDLE, SHERMAN BUTCH 8/29/1951 RR 6 BOX 76 MCALESTER OK

25 ROGERS, MELISSA HC 75 BOX 205 MCALESTER OK

26 SENNETT, JOEL 9/1/1978 2009 HOLLY RD CLAREMORE OK 2009 HOLLY RD MCALESTER OK

32 TURNER, JEFF 1/28/1947 4711 HARDY SPRINGS RD MCALESTER OK 4711 HARDY SPRINGS RD MCALESTER OK 4711 HARDY SPRINGS RD MCALESTER OK

34 WALKER, STEPHANIE 6/1/1968 622 W DELAWARE AVE MCALESTER OK