BREAKING NEWS - Multiple arrest, search warrants issued in Haskell County, Colorado

From the Haskell County Sheriff's Office:

On June 09, 2021, the Haskell County Sheriff’s Office in conjunction with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and the Drug Enforcement Administration-McAlester Resident Office and DEA Denver coordinated the execution of multiple search and arrest warrants in Colorado and Haskell County, Oklahoma on an illegal marijuana drug trafficking organization operating in both states. 

This investigation was initiated by the DEA-Denver “Front Range Task Force” who identified a Chinese Money Laundering Organization that sold black market marijuana to fund and further their criminal activities. During this investigation agents discovered that Weilun ZHANG and Cindy ZHENG purchased property in Haskell County with money gained from the sale of black market marijuana. 

The Haskell County Sheriff’s Office and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics initiated an investigation on ZHENG/ZHANG and found a registered medical marijuana grow operation was located at the property in rural Haskell County. Haskell County Sheriff’s Office and the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics coordinated investigative efforts with DEA McAlester and DEA Denver, where agents subsequently received a state search warrant for ZHANG’s property. 

During the execution of the search warrant Weilun ZHANG and Cindy ZHENG were present and arrested on Colorado warrants. 

During the search warrant of the residence, firearms, US Currency, and Cultivated Marijuana was seized.  

While executing the search warrant the individual that held the OBN registration for the medical marijuana grow operation surrendered their registration to OBN Agents. Agents and Deputies confiscated and destroyed over 10,000 marijuana plants, and approximately 100 pounds of processed marijuana from the Haskell County marijuana grow operation.

Agents in Colorado executed 14 of 21 arrest warrants pertaining to indictments in relation their investigation. 

Weilun ZHANG and Cindy ZHENG were indicted in the 18th District of Colorado on the following charges:

Two counts - VIOLATION OF (the) COLORADO ORGANIZED CRIME CONTROL ACT;

Three counts - MONEY LAUNDERING & CONSPIRACY TO COMMIT MONEY LAUNDERING; 

Two counts - POSSESSION WITH INTENT TO MANUFACTURE OR DISTRIBUTE MARIJUANA OR MARIJUANA CONCENTRATE 

One Count-TAX EVASION. 

Sheriff Turner wants lawful growers to know that he supports their mission and operations and the Sheriff’s Office will investigate and seek prosecution for any illegal grow operations discovered in Haskell County. Your Sheriff’s Office will continue to coordinate investigative efforts with our local, state, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of our citizens and the protection of all legal business operations operating in Haskell County. 

Sheriff Turner does not support those who fail to pay their share of taxes and take advantage of certified patients and legal business owners in Haskell County and will use his investigative resources and partnerships to ensure those who violate Oklahoma law have the opportunity to face a jury of your peers in Oklahoma criminal court.

The filing of a criminal charge is merely a formal accusation that an individual committed a crime. A defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.