Copyright © 2006 NLThomas
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News from the Cherokee Nation, OK
Copyright © 2006 CNO
TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA – Through an anonymous tip from a concerned individual to the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service Drug Hotline, the group’s Narcotics Unit was able to seize a methamphetamine, or meth, lab in full operation, resulting in four arrests.According to the Marshal Service, two females, Tamara Jean Murphy and Jennifer Edwards and two males, Michael Peters and Charles Clinton, were arrested in Cherokee County. Three children within the residence were placed into custody of Cherokee Nation Indian Child Welfare.
Clinton, 23, was charged in Cherokee County District Court with endeavoring to manufacture a controlled dangerous substance, possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession of a controlled substance and possession of paraphernalia. Murphy, Edwards and Peters are Cherokee citizens and will face similar charges in Tribal Court.
The Marshal Service dismantled the lab and contacted the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency to come and take possession of the chemicals found on the site. This marks the third meth lab the Marshal Service has seized this year.
“Our narcotics unit was formed in 2001 after meth was not only being used, but cooked in residences through out our jurisdiction,” said Sharon Wright, Director of the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service. “We formed this operation to seek out these meth labs and go in and shut them down as well as other drug sites.”
According to Wright the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OBNDD) considers the Cherokee Nation Marshal Service to be their “Eastern Arm” in controlling dangerous substance sin Northeastern Oklahoma.
“We urge everyone to call in and make anonymous tips,” Wright said. “We encourage any information we can get to help stop the making and distribution of dangerous substances throughout our area.”
The Cherokee Nation Marshal Service Drug Hotline can be reached by calling 1-866-458-5399, toll-free from anywhere in the United States.
Related path(s):
| Related Cherokee Nation contact information: |
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Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org
Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager |
Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org
Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation |