In 1953, the Oklahoma Legislature created the agency to enforce drug laws. Designated the Division of Narcotics Enforcement, the agency operated under the Attorney General of Oklahoma for the next decade. In 1964, the Division of Narcotics Enforcement was abolished and created under the name of the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics. The new bureau was placed under the direct command of the Governor of Oklahoma. In the late 1960s, narcotics operations and drug-related crimes accelerated. Despite a merger into the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation 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 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 in the war on drugs. The Bureau has original jurisdiction statewide on all violations of the Uniform Control Dangerous Substances Act as well as crimes of human trafficking.
Responsibilities
The Bureau of Narcotics is charged with enforcing the State's criminal and administrative drug laws. In particular, the Bureau's agents have responsibility for enforcing the following laws:
Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substance Act - general law governing all narcotics and dangerous drugs
Anti-Drug Diversion Act - criminalizes the use of legal drugs for illegal purposes
Precursor Substances Act - regulates the use of chemicals used to manufacture illegal drugs
Trafficking in Illegal Drugs Act - criminalizes the manufacturing and distribution of control substances
Drug Money Laundering and Wire Transmitter Act - allows OBN to investigate money transactions for drug-related activities
Oklahoma Methamphetamine Offender Registry Act - directs OBN to establish a centralized methamphetamine offender database
OBN trains and assists local law enforcement agencies in addition to compiling drug-related statistics. OBN also provides a leadership role for law enforcement throughout the state for the investigative effort directed towards eliminating the illegal use of controlled dangerous substances. The Bureau serves as the law enforcement arm of the State government's approach to combating 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.
Rank Structure
Locations
The Bureau maintains a presence in all 77 counties within the state of Oklahoma. This is achieved by the combination of District Offices, Regional Offices, and agents assigned to specific counties of the state. The Bureau maintains District Offices in Oklahoma City, Tulsa, McAlester, Ardmore, Lawton and Woodward with Regional Offices in multiple other locations. The Bureau's headquarters is located in Oklahoma City, OK.
Budget
The Bureau of Narcotics receives only about 16% of its budget from annual appropriations from the Oklahoma Legislature. Fees generated by the Bureau make up another 70%. The remaining 14% comes from various sources. Employee benefits and salaries make up 76% of the budget, with operating expenses totaling 17% and other expenses accounting for 7%.
