A recent seizure of cocaine in Canadian County, Oklahoma, brings attention to the Oklahoma City drug problem. The National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) identifies Oklahoma City as an important center for illicit drug trafficking; and a regional distribution point for illicit drugs. Cocaine, along with marijuana, heroin, and methamphetamine are trafficked into Oklahoma City and surrounding area by Mexican drug-trafficking organizations.
Oklahoma City Cocaine Seizure
Canadian County sheriff’s deputies seized 80-pounds of cocaine on January 25th, 2015. The county lies just west of Oklahoma City, bordering Interstate 40 to the north and south. Canadian County records a population of 126,123 people as of 2103. The county is included in the Oklahoma City Metropolitan Statistical Area.
News Channel 4 featured an online article detailing the major cocaine seizure, the largest in recent times and perhaps the largest ever for that area. The nearly 80-pounds of cocaine seized by Canadian County officials is worth millions.
The cocaine was found by Canadian County deputies concealed in an under-seat compartment of a car being hauled from Arizona to Oklahoma City. On the night of Sunday, January 25th, 2015, a deputy noticed a car hauler swerving on Interstate 40 near the city of El Reno. According to Canadian County Undersheriff Chris West, swerving is a violation, one which could be due to driving under the influence or driver fatigue.
The car-hauler driver was pulled over by deputies. The driver later agreed to a search by deputies of the cars the driving was hauling. According to West, once inside the one vehicle, deputies could see that a seat had been altered. A false compartment beneath the seat was found stuffed with 35 bundles of cocaine totaling almost 80-pounds.
The estimated street value of the drug is thought to be approximately 4 to 5-million dollars, according to West.
The cocaine was confiscated by deputies, and the driver was released. West pointed out that a driver who has been contracted to haul a load frequently has no knowledge of the drugs being on the load. It was further noted that this method of transporting concealed drugs in a car is a commonly-used method by drug cartels. As a result, a contracted driver is paid to haul the illicit drugs to another location with knowing it.
According to Canadian County officials, the bundles of cocaine were destined for Oklahoma City. The drugs will now be turned-over to OSBI, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation– and destroyed.
Narconon Arrowhead Advises on Cocaine Problem
Narconon Arrowhead, a long-term residential drug rehabilitation and education center delivering the drug-free Narconon program, is located not far from Oklahoma City. Interstate 40 due east to state highway 69 east towards Muskogee and Eufaula, Oklahoma, takes a person to Arrowhead State Park, home to the Oklahoma-based rehab center.
Narconon Arrowhead executives and staff have long-known the importance of drug prevention education. Raising public awareness of the cocaine problem facing Oklahoma City and the state of Oklahoma is a vital part of overcoming the drug problem.
The children, youth, parents, educators, and community-group leaders of Oklahoma City need to know that Oklahoma City is a significant drug trafficking center. The National Drug National Drug Intelligence Center (NDIC) identifies Oklahoma City as attractive to drug traffickers due to its strategic location. Oklahoma City is used for the transportation and distribution of illicit drugs, one of which is cocaine.
According to NDIC, the interstate highways and roadways that traverse Oklahoma City and the areas surrounding it provide easy back-and-forth access across the United States-Mexico border through the state of Texas. Oklahoma City’s strategic location makes it attractive to drug traffickers desiring to transport and distribute illicit drugs throughout the region.
Mexican Drug-Trafficking Organizations (DTOs) often ship illicit drugs from Oklahoma City to other drug market areas outside Oklahoma–primarily to neighboring states.
Narconon Arrowhead advises on the importance of drug prevention education for Oklahoma City children and youth, as well as parents, educators and all concerned individuals. With Oklahoma City identified as an illicit drug transportation and distribution location, it is vital to know and understand the risks and dangers of drugs and drug use.
http://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/pubs32/32781/okcity.htm
http://www.justice.gov/archive/ndic/dmas/South_Texas_DMA-2011%28U%29.pdf