Main target in meth ring arrested in Missouri

By Beverly Bryant/News Director

Tyrell Duane Crawford, described by law enforcement officers as the leader of a now-defunct meth ring operating in Ponca City, was arrested Friday evening in Grandview, Mo.

Crawford was the primary target in "Operation Can You Hear Me Now," conducted by a multi-agency alliance Jan. 23 in Ponca City.

He was found by the Grandview, Mo., Police Department, passed out behind the wheel of a car.

Kay County Undersheriff Steve Kelley said Friday night that Crawford has 30 days to sign a waiver of extradition to Kay County.

"If he fails to do so, we can then get a Governor’s warrant requiring his return," Kelley said.

"Operation Can You Hear Me Now" was the culmination of a year’s worth of work among multiple agencies, including the Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control; the Kay County Sheriff’s Office; Ponca City Police Department; District Attorney Brian Hermanson; the Osage County Sheriff’s Office; and Perry Police Department.

Kay County Sheriff Everette VanHoesen said the operation involved 40 officers and a great deal of technology provided by OBN, including a helicopter used in the investigation. Some of the technology will help prosecuters.

Eighteen people were identified as targets in the operation. Warrants for all of those targeted were issued the day before the operation was launched.

Crawford is charged with two felony counts of conspiracy to traffic a controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine) after two or more former convictions; unlawful use of a telephonic device to facilitate trafficking of a controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine) after two or more former convictions; felony trafficking in illegal druges after two or more former convictions.