- Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control
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Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control 
Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control patch Agency overview Formed May 15, 1975 Headquarters Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Employees 121 classified
14 unclassifiedAnnual budget $13.9 million Minister responsible Michael C. Thompson, Secretary of Safety and Security Agency executive R. Darrell Weaver, Director Website www.ok.gov/obndd/ The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control (OBN), often shortened to Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics is an agency of the government of Oklahoma charged with minimizing the abuse of controlled substances through law enforcement measures directed primarily at drug trafficking, illicit drug manufacturing, and major suppliers of illicit drugs.
The Bureau is governed by a seven-member Commission, who members are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate. The Commission is responsible for appointing a Director of OBN to serve as the chief executive officer of the Bureau. The current Director is R. Darrell Weaver, having served in that position since September, 2006.
The Bureau of Narcotics was created in 1975 during the term of Governor David L. Boren.
Contents
History
In 1953, the Oklahoma Legislature created the agency specifically to enforce drug laws. Designated the Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the agency operated under the Attorney General of Oklahoma for the next decade. Then in 1964, the Division of Narcotics Enforcement became a casualty of political conflict between the Attorney General and the Speaker of the Oklahoma House of Representatives. The Division was abolished and created under the name of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. This new Bureau was placed under the direct command of the Governor of Oklahoma. This new arrangement would last for four years.
Beginning in the late 1960s, narcotics operations and drug related crimes accelerated at a frightening pace. Despite a merger into the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) in 1968, only one full-time narcotics agent was employed by the state. Recognizing this problem, the Legislature granted OSBI funds to establish a full-time narcotics unit, but by the early 1970s. the unit had been proven a failure. In response, the Legislature passed the Uniform Control Dangerous Substances Act of 1971. The Act established the Commissioner of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control under the direction of the Attorney General. The Commissioner was responsible for the state's general interest in controlled drugs but actual enforcement of the Controlled Substances Act was left to the OSBI.
It soon became apparent that this arrangement failed to actively respond to controlling the surging drug trade. Therefore, in 1975, the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics was reconstituted, this time more adequately staffed and equipped, and given the necessary autonomy to operate as an effective weapon in the war on drugs. The Bureau has original jurisdiction statewide on all violations of the Uniform Control Dangerous Substances Act.
Mission and function
The Bureau of Narcotics is designed to enforce the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substance Act as outlined in the Oklahoma Statute Title 63, train and assist local law enforcement agencies, and compile drug related statistics. OBN provides a leadership role for law enforcement throughout the state for the investigative effort directed toward the illegal use of controlled dangerous substances.
The Bureau serves as the law enforcement arm of the State government's approach tocombating drugs. The Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services serves as the prevention, education and treatment component. The two agencies work together to develop a comprehensive drugs control strategy for the State.
Leadership
The Bureau of Narcotcs is under the supervision of the Oklahoma Secretary of Safety and Security. Under current Governor of Oklahoma Mary Fallin, Michael C. Thompson is serving as the Secretary.
Office Incumbent Since Cabinet Secretary Mike Thompson 2011 Director R. Darrell Weaver 2006 OBNDD Commission
The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control (OBNDD) Commission is the governing body of the Bureau. The Commission sets Bureau policy, approves budget requests, appoints and removes the Director of the Bureau, and hears appeals on Bureau actions from adversely affected parties. The Commission is composed of seven members, all of whom are appointed by the Governor of Oklahoma, with the approval of the Oklahoma Senate, to serve seven-year terms, with no more than any two members being from the same congressional districts. Four of the members must be lay citizens, one member must be a sitting district attorney, one must a sitting sheriff, and one must be a sitting chief of police.
OBNDD Director
OBN Commission is responsible for appointing a Director of the Bureau. The Director is the chief executive officer of the Bureau, the state's chief drug enforcement officer and serve serves at the pleasure of the OBN Commission. In order to be appointed Director, a person must have a Bachelor's degree and have at least five years experience in drug law enforcement.
The current Director of OBNDD is R. Darrell Weaver, having been appointed to that position in September 2006. Director Weaver jointed OBN in 1987, later raising through the ranks to become the Agent-in-Charge for Oklahoma City in 1996.
Rank Structure
Title Description Comparative OHP rank Director Appointed by OBNDDC Commission to be the professional head of the Bureau of Narcotics. OHP Colonel Division Director Responsible for directing a Division of the Bureau OHP Major Agent in Charge Responsible for directed investigations of a District Office or managing a major program of a Division, oversees both commissioned and non-commissioned employees OHP Captain Assistant Agent in Charge First supervisory rank, responsible for assisting in directing investigations of a District Office or supervising a major Headquarters program OHP Lieutenant Senior Agent Responsible for leading investigations and assisting lower level Agents in the performance of their duties OHP Sergeant Agent Responsible for field narcotics operations or specialized or technical law enforcement function OHP Trooper Divisions
Administration Division
The Administration Division is responsible for providing overall exercutive direction and oversight for the activities of the Bureau.
- Training Section
- Records Section
- Communications Section
- Legal Section
- Public Information Office
- Fiscal Section
- Personnel Section
- Property Section
Diversion Division
The Diversion Division of OBN investigates cases in which legally manufactured and distributed pharmaceutical controlled substances are diverted into an illegal market. Agents are trained to conduct complex investigations and audit professional handlers of controlled drugs. Because of the regulatory nature of these kinds of controlled substances, Agents work on both criminal and administrative cases.
Intelligence Division
The Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control Intelligence Division utilizes specialized techniques in conjunction with traditional drug enforcement investigative methods to address prioritized significant drug trafficking organizations.
Enforcement Division
The Bureau's largest section contains Agents at each district office and at headquarters who primarily enforce Title 63 of the Oklahoma Statutes and applicable federal statutes under Title 21 of the United States Code. The Agents not only conduct small undercover drug purchases, but also investigate multi-jurisdictional complex conspiracy cases, which require criminal investigative expertise. Marijuana eradication is a primary of Enforcement Agents. However, because of new, simpler methamphetamine recipes surfacing, these Agents are spending greater amounts of time investigating the manufacturing and sale of domestically-produced methamphetamine.
The Enforcement Division is divided into six districts, each headed by an Agent-in-Charge:
- Oklahoma City District - north central
- Tulsa District - northeastern
- McAlester District - southeastern
- Ardmore District - south central
- Lawton District - southwestern
- Woodward District - northwestern
Personnel
Staffing
The Bureau of Narcotics, with an annual budget of almost $14 million, employs several dozen employees. For fiscal year 2010, the Bureau was authozied 135 employees.[1]
Division Number of Employees Administration Division 13 Enforcement Division 56 Intelligence Division 23 Diversion Division 12 Information Technology Office 13 Training and Education Office 18 Total 135 Pay Structure
As established by Oklahoma law, with the salary increases effective January 1, 2007, the annual salaries for OBN law enforcement agents are as follows:[2]
Title Minimum Salary Mid-point Salary Maximum Salary Director N/A N/A $96,305 Deputy Director N/A N/A $91,490 Division Director N/A N/A $86,675 Agent in Charge $66,140 $70,000 $84,000 Assistant Agent in Charge $58,365 $63,750 $76,500 Senior Agent $50,042 $57,812 $69,375 Special Agent $43,714 $49,062 $58,875 Agent Cade $35,287 $41,875 $50,250 Budget
The Bureau of Narcotics receices 45% ($6.3 million) of its budget from annual appropriations from the Oklahoma Legislature.[3] Fees generated by the Bureau make up another 41% ($5.7 million). The remaining 14% ($1.9 million) comes from various sources.
Employee benefits and salaries make up 76% ($10.6 million) of the budget, with operating expenses totalling 17% ($2.3 million) and other expenses accounting for 7% ($1 million).
For fiscal year 2011, each of the operating units of the Bureau had the following budgets:
Division Funding (in millions) Administration Division $1.4 Enforcement Division $6.4 Intelligence Division $3.4 Diversion Division $1.4 Information Technology Office $1.8 Training and Education Office $0.6 Total $13.9 Fallen officers
Since the establishment of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, 3 officers have died in the line of duty.[4]
Officer Date of Death Details Narcotics Agent Billy Fairl Morgan Thursday, July 30, 1981 Aircraft accident Agent William Ross Stewart Wednesday, May 8, 1985 Gunfire Agent Choc Douglas Ericsson Friday, November 18, 2005 Vehicular assault See also
- List of law enforcement agencies in Oklahoma
- Oklahoma Highway Patrol
- Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation
- Oklahoma Department of Public Safety
- Drug Enforcement Administration
References
External links
Categories:- State law enforcement agencies of Oklahoma
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