The National High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA) Program has awarded its "Investigation Involving a Violent Organization" accolade to a collaborative law enforcement operation in Oklahoma City. Announced at the National HIDTA Awards in Tysons Corner, Virginia, on March 27, 2025, this recognition highlights the achievements of "Operation Sonic Boom."
This initiative, conducted last September, brought together federal and local law enforcement agencies to target violent crime in Oklahoma City over a two-month period. The operation culminated in charges for 50 individuals in federal and state court on various firearms and drug-related offenses. Authorities confiscated 193 firearms, including pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, machineguns, and machinegun conversion devices, along with two 3-D printers used for printing conversion devices. The operation also seized more than 63 kilograms of drugs, valued at nearly $750,000, which included methamphetamine, fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana.
Leading Operation Sonic Boom was the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Oklahoma, supported by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Key contributors to the operation also included the U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, the Oklahoma County District Attorney’s Office, Oklahoma City Police Department, Oklahoma Department of Public Safety, Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotic and Dangerous Drugs, and the Texoma HIDTA.
United States Attorney Robert J. Troester commented on the recognition, stating, “National recognition of this important initiative is yet another example of our commitment to promote public safety in the Western District of Oklahoma, and the ongoing, collaborative efforts by federal and state prosecutors and law enforcement at every level.” He further stated, "The success of Operation Sonic Boom is the result of the dedicated and coordinated efforts of federal, state, and local law enforcement to reducing violent crime in Oklahoma."
Jeffrey C. Boshek II, ATF Dallas Special Agent in Charge, expressed pride in the operation's participants, saying, “I could not be prouder of the men and women who participated in Operation Sonic Boom for winning this prestigious National HIDTA Award. However, as they would each tell you, they did not do this for recognition or honors; they did it to help keep Oklahoma safer from violent criminals plaguing our streets.” Boshek added, "Bandits and gangsters beware; we are still here!"
Keith Brown, Executive Director of the Texoma HIDTA, underlined the significance of cooperation in achieving the operation’s goals. He remarked, “The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program exists to build law enforcement partnerships and provide critical funding for important public safety efforts, and the successful outcome of Operation Sonic Boom is a clear example of the value of HIDTA."
Operation Sonic Boom received funding from the Texoma HIDTA, composed of federal, state, and local agencies across North Texas and Oklahoma, enhancing strategies to counter the region's drug and violent crime threats with support from the Office of National Drug Control Policy, under the Executive Office of the President of the United States.