Agents Dismantle Meth-Dealing Ring In Garvin County

Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics agents said Wednesday the search for two dozen drug trafficking suspects was a success.

Twelve of the 23 suspects are behind bars and more arrests are expected.

The OBN said the arrests happened after an 18-month investigation into a meth-dealing ring in Garvin County, and most of the arrests happened in the small town of Lindsay.

12/11/2013 Related Story: Law Enforcement Targets Mexican Meth Ring In Garvin County

The warrant round-up started early Wednesday morning.

"It's just kind of scary to know that they're that close," Lindsay resident Steve Jones said.

Jones' neighbor was one of the suspects booked for conspiracy to distribute meth and other charges.

Jones cannot believe a suspected drug dealer was living so close to a school.

"It's a smaller area, I mean big things do happen sometimes, but not as often. I guess that can happen anywhere."

The investigation started in May of 2012 and the OBN says it ramped up this year.

"It's cold today, but it's real chilly for some of the drug dealers down in Garvin County," said OBN director Darrell Weaver.

Weaver said the drug ring would import large amounts of crystal meth or "ice" from Mexico into the Lindsay area.

"They were moving as much as a pound, up to two pounds a week. So you're talking about for a county of that size, and a community like Lindsay, this was a very significant group of people," Weaver explained.

Many of the suspects have lengthy and violent criminal histories.

The names of those arrested include:

Keith Baker

James Cannon

Tina Finley

Kenneth Finley

Stephanie Fuller

John Gandy

Phillip Hilderbrandt

Kent Kelly

Justin Nunn

Mike Riggle

Candace Walck

Beth Willingham

Investigators said they are not surprised a large scale operation was busted in a small town because drug dealers are everywhere and Lindsay is no different.

The OBN said over the last few years, there has been a migration of drug dealers into smaller communities and they believe the reason is there are less law enforcement officers to worry about in rural areas.