Five individuals with suspected ties to the Chinese military were arrested last week during a multi-agency raid on an illegal marijuana grow in Ponca City, Oklahoma.
According to the Kay County Sheriff’s Office, the bust led to the seizure of over 11,000 illegal marijuana plants and 477 pounds of processed marijuana. The arrested individuals include Gangtie Li (60), Xiu Yu Li (59), Qunying Sun (59), Xtao Zhou Wang (37), and Yu Jiao Zou (62). Each faces charges of aggravated manufacturing of marijuana and trafficking of a controlled and dangerous substance.
Investigators noted that Qunying Sun was wearing clothing resembling the uniform of the People’s Liberation Army, the main military branch of the People’s Republic of China. Authorities are now looking into potential military connections.
Officials said the grow site had no indicators of legal operation. It lacked a valid Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority license, registration with the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs, and legally tagged marijuana plants.
