Another grow house bust

Law enforcement officers from several agencies on Tuesday seized another illegal marijuana growing operation in Lincoln County, it’s second in the county in a month.

Tuesday’s seizure was the fourth for the Special Operations Team that was just created recently. The other two seizures were in Pottawatomie County.

A spokesman and source with District Attorney Allan Grubb’s staff said Tuesday’s seizure took place at 103502 S. 3360 Road, McLoud. The location was one half mile west and one half mile north of the U.S. 177 and U.S. 62 intersection the source said.

No arrests were made. The source said investigators believe that Jia Wang, no age given, is the owner of the property. He was no where to be found, the DA source said, and it’s believed he possibly left after members of the Operations Team did a “knock and talk,” at the location last week.

Investigators discovered and seized 2,200 plants that were destroyed. They also seized $8,000 in cash and took information of the passports of the four workers who were there on Tuesday. That information will be handed over to the FBI, the source said.

The source estimated the value of the operation at $3 million. “Four Chinese workers were there and they were allowed to leave,” the source said.

“District Attorney Grubb has said these are low level workers who weren’t arrested because it’s not clear if they knew anything illegal is taking place,” the source explained.

The source also emphasized, “What we are finding in Lincoln and Pottawatomie counties is the ratio of illegal grow operations is running three to four for each one that is legal.”

The source said the investigation of Tuesday’s bust is not yet complete, but officers may possibly seek a warrant for Wang’s arrest.

“The property has been seized and a forfeiture proceeding has been filed. If that is successful, it will be declared property of the state and sold at public auction. The proceeds from that sale would go to support law enforcement,” the source added.

Assisting in the bust on Tuesday, the source said, were the Sheriff’s Office, Emergency Management and District 3 Commissioner Lee Doolen and his crew, all of those from Lincoln County; The Meeker, Wellston, and Tecumseh Police Departments; CPN officers; Department of Environmental Quality and Jacktown Fire Department.

The first illegal operation seized by the Special Operations team took place June 7 on Clear Pond Road in Pottawatomie County, the source stated. “The Town of Bethel got a restraining order on the property owner who is believed also to be Wang. Some people believe he moved some of the grow houses to the location where the bust took place Tuesday of this week,” the source stressed.

The second bust occurred on June 15 in Lincoln County in Tryon.

“There were 81 grow houses, about 320 plants in each of them. I’m told the marijuana is worth $1,200 a pound, there are around three plants to a pound and we seized approximately 40,000 plants,” Grubb said following that bust.

He estimated the total value of the plants at between $12 and $17 million. He noted the operation spanned over 10 acres.

The owner of that property and operation was identified as Sai Ying Linn. She was taken into custody and booked into the Lincoln County Jail in Chandler, he said. Her bond was set at $30,000.

Several days later she was formally charged in Lincoln County District Court.

Count 1 against Lin accuses her of growing marijuana without the proper permits on June 15, 2021, in Lincoln County.

That crime is punishable by a fine not to exceed $50,000 and imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than 10 years.

Count 2 against Lin charges her with maintaining residential quarters and grow houses for the cultivation of marijuana on June 15 of this year. That crime carries a fine of not more than $10,000 and imprisonment for not more than five years.

Special Judge Emily Mueller set a $30,000 for her and she was to make an initial appearance on June 24.

Court records showed she failed to appear on June 24. Judge Mueller ordered a bench warrant taken under advisement until 1:30 p.m. July 29.

The third bust occurred June 25 on Coker Road in Pottawatomie County and Tuesday’s was the fourth.