Oklahoma
Six horses caught in $4.8 Mil Oklahoma cocaine seizure, now working towards rehabilitation
HARRAH, OKLA (KOKH) — Six horses are being rehabilitated at an Oklahoma equine rescue after authorities say they were found in a trailer carrying an estimated $4.8 million worth of cocaine.
The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics said its interdiction unit pulled over a trailer May 20, and after searching it, found “totes in there that contained 160 kilos of cocaine that was being transported through Oklahoma,” spokesman Mark Woodward said.
Woodward said the bureau is not releasing information about the people involved because the investigation is still underway.
Authorities said those involved are tied to powerful drug cartels, are considered dangerous and will be charged in connection with drug trafficking.
Woodward said using a horse trailer to transport drugs is not common, but drugs can be hidden in nearly anything.
“Sometimes loading the drugs in the back, whether it’s vegetables, whether it’s carnival equipment, you name it, airline equipment. There’s some wrapped as Christmas presents in diaper bags. There’s no limit to the lengths that these people will go to try to move drugs in vehicles and move it across the country,” Woodward said. “Because again, this particular load was a value of about $4.8 million. So there’s literally millions of dollars at stake with every shipment that they can get moved across the country.”
Woodward also said there is a high chance the load was going to be cut with fentanyl.
Along with the cocaine, authorities found six horses in the trailer. Woodward said that created an immediate need to find a place for them.
“That’s a concern because we have to find a place for them and we were very grateful that we were able to make a phone call and the Blaze Equine Rescue said absolutely we will step up,” Woodward said.
The horses were taken to Blaze Tribute Equine Rescue, where President Natalee Cross said the organization has worked with law enforcement for 25 years, but had never been contacted for a situation like this.
“I was like, wow, okay, yeah, I mean, we’ll definitely help. It was a lot to process. We had never been contacted for a situation like that before. So it was kind of new territory for us,” Cross said.
Cross said her first concern was what the horses had endured.
“It was more like what the horses had been through. I didn’t know how long they had been in that trailer or how far they had come from. There was a lot of questions that, were in the back of my head regarding what the horses have been through,” she said.
Cross said several of the horses had scrapes and wounds, and one horse was much thinner than the others. She said the animals have since begun to settle in.
“They’ve they’ve settled down quite a bit that first 24 to 48 hours they were pretty wound up and they had been through a lot it was very evident that you know that they were overwhelmed the horses were so they’ve settled down quite a bit they’re um enjoying you know the i think the calmness and the quiet,” Cross said.
Cross said, “You can definitely see, I think, a sigh of relief and just not knowing how long they were in that trailer. You know, if, if they could talk, I’d be interested to hear.”
Cross said the next step is for the horses to go out to pasture “and just be horses,” and eventually be adopted into permanent homes.
To donate to help these animals or volunteer, visit the Blaze Tribute Equine Rescue website linked here.
While Cross says their horses won’t be available for adoption for a while, they will eventually be. You can fill out an adoption application here.
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OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. (KOKH) — As millions of fans tune in to the FIFA World Cup, Oklahoma City leaders and youth soccer supporters hope the excitement has a lasting impact much closer to home.
A major expansion of a north Oklahoma City soccer complex is designed to meet growing demand for the sport while positioning the city to host regional and national tournaments that supporters say could bring millions of dollars in economic activity and new opportunities for young athletes.
The project is the result of a public-private partnership between the City of Oklahoma City and North Oklahoma City Soccer Club (NOKC Soccer). The city funded the first two phases through the 2017 General Obligation Bond and MAPS 4, while the club is paying for the final phase of the expansion.
City of OKC and NOKC Soccer Club join efforts to expand Cameron Park soccer facility. (KOKH)
Supporters say the project comes at a time when soccer continues to gain popularity, especially during World Cup years.
“Our numbers go up. People want to play soccer. It just inspires everyone to be a part of this amazing game,” said Gabi Noble, president of NOKC Soccer Club.
Once complete, the expanded complex will feature 20 fields. This is an important benchmark for attracting many of the nation’s largest youth soccer tournaments.
“A lot of the major events have field minimum standards, and so we needed to have 20 fields to meet those standards so we could host the events,” Noble said.
According to Noble, hosting those tournaments could have an impact well beyond the soccer community.
She said similar four-day tournaments in other cities have generated between $7 million and $8 million in local economic activity through hotels, restaurants and other spending.
For Oklahoma families, supporters say the biggest benefit could be keeping elite competition closer to home.
Instead of traveling to places like the Dallas area or Overland Park, Kansas, parents could see college coaches and top competition come to Oklahoma City.
“It saves them money because they don’t have to travel all around the nation to get exposure to college coaches,” Noble said. “We wanted to give them a place to stop right here in the middle of our country and show them Oklahoma City and what all it has to offer.”
Stephen Phillips, executive advisor for Oklahoma Energy Football Club and technical director for NOKC Soccer Club, said the city is already seeing the need for additional fields.
“We don’t actually have enough fields to field any extra teams,” Phillips said. “We’re maxed out at this moment in time because of the field situation.”
He said Oklahoma City’s central location could eventually make the city a regional soccer hub, similar to how Oklahoma City has become synonymous with the Women’s College World Series.
“I would think it would kind of mirror that,” Phillips said. “People fly in or drive in here to play games. Instead of us having to go east coast or west coast, a central location is what people want to see.”
Supporters also hope the investment changes how the rest of the country views soccer in Oklahoma.
Construction continues at Cameron Park. (Courtesy: NOKC Soccer Club)
“I hope that they see Oklahoma as a serious contender in the national market,” Phillips said, noting several Oklahoma teams are already competing at high-level national tournaments.
Ultimately, both Phillips and Noble say the project’s greatest success won’t be measured by tournaments or tourism, but by the young athletes who grow up playing on the new fields.
When asked whether a future World Cup player could come from Oklahoma, Noble didn’t hesitate.
“Absolutely. They can and they will.”
Phillips shares that vision.
“I think a lot of our best athletes will play soccer coming out with this project. That’s what my hope and dream is anyway.”
The Director of OKC Parks, Melinda McMillan-Miller, told Fox 25 in a statement:
“Oklahoma City Parks and Recreation is excited for the amazing enhancements and expansion to Cameron Park. The park will provide an elevated soccer experience for our community and will inspire future soccer players to pursue excellence both on and off the field.”
By: Braylea Lawson – Mulhall-Orlando FFA Chapter Reporter
Special to Guthrie News Page
The Mulhall-Orlando FFA Chapter was represented at the 54th Annual Oklahoma FFA Alumni Leadership Camp, held at Camp Tulakogee in Wagoner, Oklahoma.
More than 1,300 FFA members from over 300 Oklahoma FFA chapters have registered to participate in one of four 3½-day sessions scheduled from June 28 through July 11, 2026. Attendees from this chapter include: Lane Brown, Garrett Schoonover, Fletcher Inman, Braylea Lawson, Brylie Cook, and Kilee Blehm
This year’s camp, themed “Uncharted: Go Beyond Your Limits,” is designed to engage FFA members in fun, action-packed activities focused on personal, team, and service leadership. Special presenters include kickoff speaker Bill Cordes of Kansas, hypnotist Dr. Al Snyder of Wyoming, and nationally recognized clean comedian and youth speaker Mike Paramore, who will serve as the camp’s keynote speaker.
DAVIS, Okla. (KXII) – Law enforcement is searching for a 15-year-old boy from Davis who has been reported as an endangered missing person.
According to an OHP post on X, James Pletcher of Davis was last seen after 11 p.m. Saturday, July 4th. He was wearing a black shirt, black shorts and black shoes.
Anyone who sees Pletcher or has information on his whereabouts is asked to call 911.
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