Investigators Find Drugs, Guns In Eastern Oklahoma Busts

Investigators say they've dealt a big blow to the illegal drug trade in eastern Oklahoma.

A special task force served warrants on two major drug dealers last week. They say they found a huge haul of stolen guns and illegal drugs.

They credit the hard work of a multi-county task force.

"You got a little bit of everything. You got Ruger target pistols to police shotguns," said Mike Moore, Director of the District 27 Drug Task Force.

The stash of guns came from the home of an Adair County man.

Investigators from Cherokee, Wagoner, and Adair Counties, along with a number of police departments and the Cherokee Nation Marshall service, raided the man's home last Friday. They found meth, marijuana, and a load of guns.

"I think these were used as currency. I think people steal these, they break into your house, they steal these guns, along with other items, to trade for dope," Moore said.

It was the second bust of the week for the task force.

Last Wednesday, Ralph Johnson was arrested in his Cherokee County home.

Inside, investigators found more than $15,000 in cash and some of the largest meth crystals Moore said he has ever seen--more than 40 grams, worth at least $10,000.

"Everything was ready to process for sale. He had the little plastic baggies, he had everything ready to cut and go. He's been dealing," Moore said.

District Attorney Brian Kuester said, "This is just an incredible show of teamwork that has occurred here."

Kuester said the drug trade is destroying lives in eastern Oklahoma, but the drug task force is trying to fix the problem.

"Our drug task force has gone out and saved small children, who are living in conditions which are horrible, because of meth labs," he said.

Investigators say these busts should be a warning to others.

"We're here and we're looking," Moore said. "We're working all the time, and if you're out there doing this stuff we're coming for you. Eventually, we're going to find you."

Investigators say they can't do what they do without help from the public, and they've set up a special email for residents in their district to leave tips: drugtips@da27.org.