Earlier last month, agents with the District 27 Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force (DTF) were informed of drug trafficking taking place in eastern Sequoyah County, according to a press release issued by District 27 District Attorney Jack Thorp.

Thorp said DTF agents shared this information with the Cherokee Nation Marshal’s Service, and those agencies worked together to plan an undercover investigation.

Along with DTF agents and Marshals, agents with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement assisted in the investigation.

“I’m thankful for the assistance of each of these agencies. It is always inspiring to see different agencies working together with a common goal. Their hard work is helping to make our communities safer for the people who live here,” Thorp said. “I am especially grateful to the Cherokee Nation and their Marshals. This was an example of State, Tribal, and Federal cooperation to solve a major problem.”

The multi-agency undercover operation was conducted over a period of several days in December. During the investigation, law enforcement gathered information related to the possession and distribution of several different drugs, including fentanyl, marijuana, ecstasy, and methamphetamine.

Thorp said by the end of the investigation, 22 people had been arrested in connection with the possession and distribution of controlled dangerous substances.

“The trafficking of these drugs has caused a lot of harm to the people of Oklahoma,” Thorp said. “I would like to thank all of our law enforcement officers for their hard work and perseverance in fighting to stop the spread of these poisons.”