CHICKASHA, OK -- Two college basketball players were busted during an undercover sting operation. They're accused of dealing drugs on school property at the University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma. Authorities say the players had a routine set up to where customers didn't even have to get out of their cars.
"It's basically a drive-thru," Grady County Sheriff Art Kell said. "They knew who was wanting to buy it."
And in a place you'd least expect; two college basketball players accused of selling drugs right out of their dorm room.
Lawmen say they got a tip about what was happening and went undercover to make a purchase.
"Eighty?" said an undercover buyer said during the sting. "Yeah. Eighty," the player said. "Alright, Bro. I appreciate it, man. Thanks," an informant said.
20-year-old Athon Branch and 20 year old Gregory Mcpherson II were both arrested in the deal.
Mcpherson is the nephew of the school's basketball coach and athletic director.
After the purchase authorities searched the players' dorm, and say they found marijuana packaged up and ready to sell, some in a pancake box in the freezer and more stashed in a fast food bag hidden in a trash can.
"He's hidden these little baggies of half-ounce and quarter-ounce that he was going to sell," Kell said.
They also found nearly almost $2,000 in cash tucked inside several pairs of basketball shoes.
Authorities say customers would send the players a text message telling them how much they wanted to buy, then pull into the dorm parking lot where the drugs were delivered right to their window.
University officials say they can't expel the players until their court hearing.
"The students have been removed from all activities except class," USAO spokesperson Monica Trevino said. "They have been removed from their residence at Lawson Court. The only thing they're allowed to do is attend class."
"It's really sad when you see students trying to make money in an illegal way," Kell said. "This could follow them the rest of their lives."
Branch was charged with possession of a controlled substance within one thousand feet of a school.
Mcpherson was charged with distribution since he's the one police say they caught bringing the drugs to buyer's vehicles.
"It's basically a drive-thru," Grady County Sheriff Art Kell said. "They knew who was wanting to buy it."
And in a place you'd least expect; two college basketball players accused of selling drugs right out of their dorm room.
Lawmen say they got a tip about what was happening and went undercover to make a purchase.
"Eighty?" said an undercover buyer said during the sting. "Yeah. Eighty," the player said. "Alright, Bro. I appreciate it, man. Thanks," an informant said.
20-year-old Athon Branch and 20 year old Gregory Mcpherson II were both arrested in the deal.
Mcpherson is the nephew of the school's basketball coach and athletic director.
After the purchase authorities searched the players' dorm, and say they found marijuana packaged up and ready to sell, some in a pancake box in the freezer and more stashed in a fast food bag hidden in a trash can.
"He's hidden these little baggies of half-ounce and quarter-ounce that he was going to sell," Kell said.
They also found nearly almost $2,000 in cash tucked inside several pairs of basketball shoes.
Authorities say customers would send the players a text message telling them how much they wanted to buy, then pull into the dorm parking lot where the drugs were delivered right to their window.
University officials say they can't expel the players until their court hearing.
"The students have been removed from all activities except class," USAO spokesperson Monica Trevino said. "They have been removed from their residence at Lawson Court. The only thing they're allowed to do is attend class."
"It's really sad when you see students trying to make money in an illegal way," Kell said. "This could follow them the rest of their lives."
Branch was charged with possession of a controlled substance within one thousand feet of a school.
Mcpherson was charged with distribution since he's the one police say they caught bringing the drugs to buyer's vehicles.
