Muskogee County Marijuana Farm Shut Down For Growing Without A License

The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics has shut down a marijuana farm in Muskogee County that was growing plants without a license.

OBN says they believe the farm was tied to a Cartel trafficking organization. Investigators say they also found evidence of possible human trafficking. The OBN says they recovered about 25,000 plants at the farm -- worth over $36 million. They also say the working conditions on this farm are the worst they have ever seen. The 40-acre marijuana farm was busted by OBN Monday after investigators discovered the farm was running without a license.

Even more shocking, they say 20 to 30 Hispanic workers were living in life-threatening conditions and hadn’t been paid.

“They were basically forced to live in makeshift shanties along the tree line --- no running water and electricity. It also appears they have not been bathing or washing their clothes. It was very, very troubling to see," said OBN spokesman Mark Woodward. He says the Bureau busts 3-4 of these operations a day across the state.

"It’s troubling that there are criminal organizations that think Oklahoma is a safe haven for them to come grow and hide them under thousands of other growers who are out here but that’s simply not the case," Woodward told News on 6.

State Representative Scott Fetgatter helped pass a bill last month that makes these busts possible.

“The intent was for OMMA could enter into agreements with law enforcement agencies in the state of Oklahoma and utilize revenue that they have to pay for the enforcement through law enforcement agencies," Fetgatter explained, “to make sure the industry is well-regulated but not over-burdensome to legal businesses.”

Woodward says OBN will make an arrest soon. "We have dozens of other investigations that have led us to other farms so we will be sending a message to those criminals that this is not the safe state they think it is," Woodward added.

OBN says they will have to burn these plants because they were grown without any regulations and could be a health risk."

The investigation is ongoing. OBN encourages anyone with information about this case or any suspected illegal drug/Human Trafficking activity to contact the agency at 1-800-522-8031. All tips can remain anonymous.