420 with CNW — Crackdowns by Oklahoma Authorities Don’t Seem to Be Slowing Illicit Marijuana Operations
For years, Darrin Varnell, Pawnee County Sheriff, had received alarming reports about a cannabis farm near Maramec—men carrying assault rifles, a worker fleeing in fear, and even an incident where a man with a machete chased a naked woman. So when the DEA raided the site in January 2023, Varnell felt a sense of relief. The operation was shut down, and agents seized $45,000 in cash, more than 17,000 cannabis plants, and a firearm. The farm’s manager, Jiubing Lin, was arrested and later pleaded guilty to conspiracy charges tied to a broader Chinese money laundering network. However, the relief was…

















