Two Oklahoma men charged in $1.5M Lafayette drug bust

Authorities say the suspects had over 1,000 pounds of marijuana in their possession.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 9:39pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a large plastic bag filled with dried marijuana buds, creating a stark, gritty, investigative aesthetic.A recent large-scale drug bust in Louisiana exposes the ongoing challenges in combating the illegal marijuana trade.Oklahoma City Today

Two Oklahoma men, Billy Shi, 38, of Oklahoma City, and Jeffery Weston, 48, of Marlow, have been arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana after a $1.5 million drug bust in Lafayette, Louisiana. Police say the suspects had over 1,000 pounds of marijuana in their possession.

Why it matters

This large-scale drug bust highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat the illegal drug trade, particularly the trafficking of marijuana, which remains a major source of revenue for criminal organizations despite increasing legalization in many states.

The details

According to the report, the two men were pulled over by police in Lafayette, Louisiana, where a search of their vehicle uncovered over 1,000 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $1.5 million on the black market. Both Shi and Weston were arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

  • The incident occurred on April 9, 2026 in Lafayette, Louisiana.

The players

Billy Shi

A 38-year-old man from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma who was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

Jeffery Weston

A 48-year-old man from Marlow, Oklahoma who was arrested and charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

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The takeaway

This large drug bust underscores the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces in combating the illegal drug trade, even as more states move to legalize and regulate marijuana. The significant street value of the seized marijuana highlights the potential profits that drive criminal organizations to traffic drugs across state lines.