12 law enforcement agencies received money, property from efforts
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma Attorney General Mike Hunter met with and presented checks to representatives with law enforcement agencies and district attorneys today at the monthly District Attorneys Council meeting for the role each played in providing assistance or manpower during the 2015 raid of the Mr. Coolz shops in Oklahoma City, shutting down a criminal enterprise.
After prosecution, the attorney general’s office was allocated over $2 million in forfeited assets. It was determined the funds should be divided between each department, agency or district attorney’s office for payment based on level of involvement and resources used throughout the duration of the case. The reimbursement will help fund local investigations or equipment upgrades.
During the presentation, Attorney General Hunter said the success of the case could not have happened without the coordination of state and federal law enforcement agents.
“Thanks to the determined work of our law enforcement partners from different jurisdictions across the state, we were able to rid the streets of harmful poison and save countless lives,” Attorney General Hunter said. “Dangerous drugs like synthetic marijuana claim the lives of far too many every year. With cooperation across agency lines, we will continue our relentless efforts to arrest and prosecute traffickers to keep the public safe. It is an honor to distribute these funds today.”
The allocation of money breaks down as followed:
- Bethany Police Department - $84,889.60;
- Duncan Police Department - $63,667.20;
- Oklahoma County Sheriff’s Office - $212,224;
- Pittsburg County District Attorney’s Office - $111,723.20;
- Cleveland County District Attorney’s Office - $70,033.92;
- Moore Police Department - $76,400.64;
- Tulsa County Sheriff’s Department - $84,889.60;
- Pottawatomie County District Attorney’s Office - $63,667.20;
- Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control - $169,779.20;
- Oklahoma City Police Department - $573,004.80;
- Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office - $500,000.
The Oklahoma Highway Patrol assisted while the court proceedings were pending by providing free storage of the seized items. In exchange, the attorney general’s office will give the following forfeited items to the OHP:
- A Top Hat hauling trailer – estimated value at $5,000;
- An Arctic Cat Prowler – estimated value at $9,000;
- A Browning ProSteel gun safe – estimated value at $2,500;
- And a Polaris Ranger 800 XP – estimated value at $10,000.
Case Background
Agent Sean Patterson with the attorney general’s office led the entire investigation into the Mr. Coolz stores, after numerous complaints to the attorney general’s office from citizens claiming the stores were selling and distributing narcotics. He received the Region One Officer of the Year award for 2014-2015 from the Association of Oklahoma Narcotics Enforcers.
During the 2015 raid of the stores, safe deposit boxes, residences and storage units, authorities seized thousands of packages of illegal synthetic marijuana, more than a million dollars in cash and expensive luxury cars.
At the time of the take down, the criminal operation had generated more than $5.1 million in revenue since the stores opened in 2010.
Attorney General Mike Hunter (right), thanks Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn for his assistance during the 2015 raid of the Mr. Coolz shop in Oklahoma City.
Attorney General Hunter thanking law enforcement agencies and district attorneys this morning for providing assistance in an investigation that shut down a criminal enterprise.
The money going to law enforcement agencies or district attorneys will help fund local investigations or provide equipment upgrades.