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In June 2023, I began investigating the illegal marijuana industry in Oklahoma, expecting the project to take only a few weeks. But as I dug deeper, the story revealed itself to be far more troubling and expansive than I had imagined. This was not just about marijuana crossing state lines; it involved organized crime making billions of dollars and exploiting thousands of immigrant workers — resulting in human rights abuses on a scale rarely seen in Oklahoma’s recent history.
The project ended up taking over a year to complete. These illegal farms operate under layers of secrecy, with ownership obscured through straw owners and shell corporations, making it difficult to identify those responsible. Investigating the trafficking of immigrant workers was even more challenging. Most are undocumented immigrants who speak no English and live in constant fear of retaliation from their employers — criminal networks notorious for intimidation and violence. And with law enforcement struggling to investigate the issue, there were few court documents or official records to rely on.
Despite these challenges, we persisted, thanks to the support of our donors. Unlike ad- or subscription-based outlets, our donor-supported model allowed us the resources and time to do rigorous investigative reporting — work that many newsrooms today can no longer sustain.
Collaborating with ProPublica, we eventually managed to speak with workers who shared their harrowing accounts. One described escaping after being forced to work for months on a farm encircled by armed guards. Another narrowly got away after his boss shot him. The family of another worker recounted how their loved one died from pneumonia after being forced to work in extreme heat. And our reporting revealed that all of this was preventable. Weak labor protections and Oklahoma’s failure to regulate the industry have enabled abuse.
The tangled ownership of these farms also exposed connections to one of the world’s most powerful governments: China. We reported that a top Chinese diplomat made visits to Oklahoma to meet with farm owners, some of whom were convicted of crimes and had associations with the Chinese Communist Party. Some of the profits made in Oklahoma also flow back to Chinese government bodies and money laundering networks fueling the fentanyl trade.
Without the support of donors like you, this work would not have been possible. It took time, resources, and persistence to uncover the truth and give a voice to the affected—and our future projects will too.Now through the end of the year, your donations will be matched through the collaborative fundraising movement Newsmatch. We can earn up to $24,000 with your help. Please consider donating to support our mission of independent journalism that shines a light on Oklahoma.
Chinese criminal networks have taken over much of the illicit marijuana market in Oklahoma, stoking a wave of crime that includes violence, money laundering and human trafficking. And authorities suspect some of those involved have links to powerful forces in the Chinese state.
“}]] Without the support of donors like you, this work would not have been possible. This project took time, resources, and persistence to uncover the truth and give a voice to the affected. Help us continue our work. Read More
