Robbers passing themselves off as state officials are now being hunted by legitimate law enforcement officers after two marijuana farms were victimized this week.
According to The Oklahoman, the state Bureau of Narcotics, the Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority (OMMA) and other law enforcement officers are searching for at least six individuals who posed as agents of a fictional “Oklahoma Marijuana Board” to steal cannabis and cellphones from two grow operations.
One individual is in custody in conjunction with the incidents, the newspaper reported.
The first theft occurred Sunday in Hughes County and the second took place Monday in Seminole County.
In both instances, six criminals used fake search warrants, badges and uniforms to impersonate state officials and demanded that apparent rules violations be paid immediately.
Mark Woodward, spokesperson for the state narcotics bureau, said his agency has seen such thefts before.
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“In the past, they’ve showed up at either a grow or a dispensary and claimed to be with the state of Oklahoma, saying there were violations and demanded money on-site to pay the fine for the violation or be shut down,” Woodward told The Oklahoman.
An active investigation into the thefts is being led by District Attorney Paul Smith, whose jurisdiction encompasses both counties, The Oklahoman reported, in conjunction with the state narcotics bureau and the OMMA.
