We know what’s coming and we are prepared.
OKLAHOMA CITY -The accused ringleader of a billion-dollar illegal marijuana operation in Oklahoma was released on Wednesday from the Oklahoma County Detention Center. Jail officials confirmed Chen was released to the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office.
An Oklahoma County judge set Hao Chen’s bond at $100,000 on Tuesday after the Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office did not show up to his arraignment hearing.
AG Gentner Drummond issued a statement expressing serious concern that Chen was given a lower bond than the $1M his office requested.
Chen is the accused head of a $1.5B black market marijuana operation that was based in Oklahoma. He was arrested in New York when the AG’s office rolled out “Operation Blunt Force” last month. The AG’s office responded to questions about bond and the possibility of Chen and his co-conspirators fleeing the country during a press conference about the operation.
“That is certainly something we will continue to monitor as well and if they do run, we’ll go find them,” said Dane Towery, Oklahoma Attorney General’s Office.
When asked how defendants are being monitored, Towery responded saying the AG’s office will monitor them.
“To see if they come to court, if they’re in constant contact with their defense attorney and that’s the vest we can do at the point,” said Towery.
Chen’s attorney Scott Adams told News 9, “Mr. Chen has never been a danger to the community nor a flight risk. Mr. Chen who is proudly a U.S. citizen looks forward to his day in court.”
Court records show Chen has been required to wear a GPS monitor.
The AG’s office arrested 19 people with ties to the “Hao Chen Organization.” A multi-county grand jury returned an 18-count felony racketeering indictment last year.
The AG’s office sent News 9 the following statement:
“The Attorney General’s Office was not notified of Hao Chen’s arraignment and therefore did not have an opportunity to be present, despite contacting the court in advance to determine when the matter would be set. Yesterday afternoon we went before a district judge seeking a $1 million bond based on the serious nature of the allegations and the danger Chen poses to the community.
America’s bees and beekeepers are losing a valuable ally just when they need its help most.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture plans to soon close the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center, a 6,500-acre agricultural research station in Maryland that is home to the nation’s premier bee research and disease diagnosis hub, the Beltsville Bee Research Lab.
The closure comes at a critical moment for bees. In winter 2025, many beekeepers lost over half their operations as pesticide-resistant varroa mites spread, bringing deadly viruses. The losses have led to low honey production, and soaring fuel costs have made shipping bees cross-country for agricultural pollination increasingly expensive, further stressing the industry.
