'Operation Summer Snow' Results In Dozens Of Drug Arrests In OK

Gan Matthews, News 9

CHICKASHA, Oklahoma -- A four-county raid by Oklahoma lawmen results in dozens of arrests for drug trafficking.

Friday morning, simultaneous raids took place in Grady, Caddo, Stephens and Jefferson counties. Before dawn, the District Six District Attorney's Violent Crime and Drug Task force met in Chickasha to plot their strategy before heading out to make arrests in what's being called "Operation Summer Snow."

The investigation began approximately five months ago when District Attorney Jason Hicks directed the Task Force to investigate the distribution of controlled dangerous substances in District Six.

The Task Force investigation focused on the distribution of controlled dangerous substances, more specifically methamphetamine and included multiple agencies. Agencies involved in the investigation and execution of warrants include the following: Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, Stephens County Sheriff's Office, Grady County Sheriff's Office, Caddo County Sheriff's Office, Anadarko Police Department, Chickasha Police Department, Amber Police Department, Rush Springs Police Department, Duncan Police Department, Marlow Police Department, Comanche Police Department, DEA, U.S. Marshals, Oklahoma Department of Probation and Parole, and Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

The investigation concluded with approximately 60 arrest warrants issued.

Lead Investigator Justin Scott said that he believed the success of the investigation was based upon the cooperation of all the agencies involved. "The amount of cooperative assistance in "Operation Summer Snow" was incredible" Scott said.

The raids, so far, have resulted in the arrests of at least 40 people suspected of trafficking in drugs including James Brown, a reputed drug kingpin in the area.

"Mr. Brown has been selling methamphetamine here in Grady County for a while now," says Grady County District Attorney Jason Hicks. "We've had people undercover go in and actually purchase narcotics off of him and that will be on video."

In Stephens County, officers arrested local bail bondsman Steve Gandy. The search continues for those who haven't been located yet.