The Morning Brew: Brother, sister flee to China in wake of Oklahoma drug probe

by Juliana Keeping

Published: Thu, January 5, 2017 5:00 AM

Welcome to Thursday. A brother-sister business pair high-tailed it to the Middle Kingdom following a federal probe into the Ziggyz store chain. Dylann Roof, slayer of nine worshippers, says he's not mentally ill. 'The Magic School Bus' is coming back. What did Snoop give Willie for Christmas?

Oklahoma Brother-sister business pair flee to Shanghai

A brother-sister business pair have high-tailed it to the Middle Kingdom following a federal probe into the Ziggyz store chain.

Reports The Oklahoman's Brianna Bailey, federal drug charges against Wendy Ren alleged a conspiracy to sell synthetic marijuana at Ziggyz stores.

Those charges were dismissed in October, but neither that, nor the abrupt exit of the Rens, will stop federal law enforcement from pursuing the case, according to a U.S. attorney's office spokesman.

Here's what an attorney for the Rens had to say:

Edward Saheb, an attorney who has represented Johnny and Wendy Ren in various legal matters, said the Ziggyz stores had stopped selling synthetic marijuana completely by November 2014, when state law changed to make many of the chemicals found in the products illegal in Oklahoma.

This is Ziggyz Smoke Shop at 4007 N. Pennsylvania Ave in Oklahoma City, Okla. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016. Photo by Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman

The Rens returned to Shanghai because of the negative media attention and public scrutiny they endured after the Ziggyz raid, he said.

"It just wasn't worth sticking around, so they left," Saheb said. "It didn't help that everyone was looking at them in a bad light — they made for easy targets."

#icymi

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Related Photos

This is Ziggyz Smoke Shop at 4007 N. Pennsylvania Ave in Oklahoma City, Okla. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016. Photo by Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman

Oklahoma's Samaje Perine (32) is tackled during his record breaking rush during the Allstate Sugar Bowl between University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Auburn University Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 2, 2017. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman

FILE - In this Monday, Nov. 7, 2016 file photo, a television reporter takes video as she walks past a damaged building in Cushing, Okla. caused by an earthquake the night before. Record-setting temblors rocked Oklahoma as the state scrambled to impose new restrictions on the disposal of wastewater in oil and gas production in one of the top stories in the state in 2016. (Jim Beckel The Oklahoman via AP, File)

Two men look at damage to the top of a building on E. Broadway in downtown Cushing. They operate a drone service out of Tulsa and were brought in to assist with initial damage assessment to structures in the Cushing downtown district. Damage in Cushing on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, caused by Sunday night's 5.0 magnitude earthquake. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

+5+8

Crew from Cushing water department dig through SH 18 when a water pipe burst beneath the roadway after the earthquake. This is at the intersection of Carson and N. Little. Damage in downtown Cushing on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, caused by Sunday night's 5.0 magnitude earthquake. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman

<figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-427305ce7c33eff71b5b83e9589741e0.jpg" alt="Photo - This is Ziggyz Smoke Shop at 4007 N. Pennsylvania Ave in Oklahoma City, Okla. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016. Photo by Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman " title="This is Ziggyz Smoke Shop at 4007 N. Pennsylvania Ave in Oklahoma City, Okla. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016. Photo by Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman "><figcaption>This is Ziggyz Smoke Shop at 4007 N. Pennsylvania Ave in Oklahoma City, Okla. Wednesday, Dec. 28, 2016. Photo by Paul Hellstern, The Oklahoman </figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-55e3952c4d16a4fab26d75c658232ffb.jpg" alt="Photo - University of Oklahoma President David Boren speaks during a press conference to announce a partnership between OU Health Sciences Center and St. Anthony Hospital, SSM Health at Children's Hospital,Tuesday, October 26, 2016. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman" title="University of Oklahoma President David Boren speaks during a press conference to announce a partnership between OU Health Sciences Center and St. Anthony Hospital, SSM Health at Children's Hospital,Tuesday, October 26, 2016. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>University of Oklahoma President David Boren speaks during a press conference to announce a partnership between OU Health Sciences Center and St. Anthony Hospital, SSM Health at Children's Hospital,Tuesday, October 26, 2016. Photo by Doug Hoke, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-86f2de116e91745809612e3a574e9346.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma's Samaje Perine (32) is tackled during his record breaking rush during the Allstate Sugar Bowl between University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Auburn University Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 2, 2017. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman" title="Oklahoma's Samaje Perine (32) is tackled during his record breaking rush during the Allstate Sugar Bowl between University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Auburn University Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 2, 2017. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>Oklahoma's Samaje Perine (32) is tackled during his record breaking rush during the Allstate Sugar Bowl between University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Auburn University Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 2, 2017. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-c25dcd47c6dc5977ca96ec8f308867e9.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma's Samaje Perine (32) is tackled during his record breaking rush during the Allstate Sugar Bowl between University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Auburn University Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 2, 2017. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman" title="Oklahoma's Samaje Perine (32) is tackled during his record breaking rush during the Allstate Sugar Bowl between University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Auburn University Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 2, 2017. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>Oklahoma's Samaje Perine (32) is tackled during his record breaking rush during the Allstate Sugar Bowl between University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Auburn University Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 2, 2017. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-d6dca3c56b9717bb97c28c5334ef51e4.jpg" alt="Photo - Oklahoma's Samaje Perine (32) smiles after talking with his family following the Allstate Sugar Bowl between University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Auburn University Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 2, 2017. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman" title="Oklahoma's Samaje Perine (32) smiles after talking with his family following the Allstate Sugar Bowl between University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Auburn University Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 2, 2017. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman"><figcaption>Oklahoma's Samaje Perine (32) smiles after talking with his family following the Allstate Sugar Bowl between University of Oklahoma Sooners (OU) and Auburn University Tigers at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Monday, Jan. 2, 2017. Photo by Sarah Phipps, The Oklahoman</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-9f7cdcf8453fe70d3035af054f9439db.jpg" alt="Photo - FILE - In this Monday, Nov. 7, 2016 file photo, a television reporter takes video as she walks past a damaged building in Cushing, Okla. caused by an earthquake the night before. Record-setting temblors rocked Oklahoma as the state scrambled to impose new restrictions on the disposal of wastewater in oil and gas production in one of the top stories in the state in 2016. (Jim Beckel The Oklahoman via AP, File)" title="FILE - In this Monday, Nov. 7, 2016 file photo, a television reporter takes video as she walks past a damaged building in Cushing, Okla. caused by an earthquake the night before. Record-setting temblors rocked Oklahoma as the state scrambled to impose new restrictions on the disposal of wastewater in oil and gas production in one of the top stories in the state in 2016. (Jim Beckel The Oklahoman via AP, File)"><figcaption>FILE - In this Monday, Nov. 7, 2016 file photo, a television reporter takes video as she walks past a damaged building in Cushing, Okla. caused by an earthquake the night before. Record-setting temblors rocked Oklahoma as the state scrambled to impose new restrictions on the disposal of wastewater in oil and gas production in one of the top stories in the state in 2016. (Jim Beckel The Oklahoman via AP, File)</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-2f9cebe7c77071dadf1be3a3bc8aefa4.jpg" alt="Photo - Two men look at damage to the top of a building on E. Broadway in downtown Cushing. They operate a drone service out of Tulsa and were brought in to assist with initial damage assessment to structures in the Cushing downtown district. Damage in Cushing on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, caused by Sunday night's 5.0 magnitude earthquake. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman " title="Two men look at damage to the top of a building on E. Broadway in downtown Cushing. They operate a drone service out of Tulsa and were brought in to assist with initial damage assessment to structures in the Cushing downtown district. Damage in Cushing on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, caused by Sunday night's 5.0 magnitude earthquake. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman "><figcaption>Two men look at damage to the top of a building on E. Broadway in downtown Cushing. They operate a drone service out of Tulsa and were brought in to assist with initial damage assessment to structures in the Cushing downtown district. Damage in Cushing on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, caused by Sunday night's 5.0 magnitude earthquake. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman </figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-8ae8a2b64498c7961642a63aca941407.jpg" alt="Photo - Crew from Cushing water department dig through SH 18 when a water pipe burst beneath the roadway after the earthquake. This is at the intersection of Carson and N. Little. Damage in downtown Cushing on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, caused by Sunday night's 5.0 magnitude earthquake. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman " title="Crew from Cushing water department dig through SH 18 when a water pipe burst beneath the roadway after the earthquake. This is at the intersection of Carson and N. Little. Damage in downtown Cushing on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, caused by Sunday night's 5.0 magnitude earthquake. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman "><figcaption>Crew from Cushing water department dig through SH 18 when a water pipe burst beneath the roadway after the earthquake. This is at the intersection of Carson and N. Little. Damage in downtown Cushing on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, caused by Sunday night's 5.0 magnitude earthquake. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman </figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-9fd711ecfccc576523ded22d4bb75b48.jpg" alt="Photo - Displaced bricks on the sidewalk at the door of this storefront on E. Broadway in downtown Cushing. Damage in Cushing on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, caused by Sunday night's 5.0 magnitude earthquake. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman " title="Displaced bricks on the sidewalk at the door of this storefront on E. Broadway in downtown Cushing. Damage in Cushing on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, caused by Sunday night's 5.0 magnitude earthquake. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman "><figcaption>Displaced bricks on the sidewalk at the door of this storefront on E. Broadway in downtown Cushing. Damage in Cushing on Monday, Nov. 7, 2016, caused by Sunday night's 5.0 magnitude earthquake. Photo by Jim Beckel, The Oklahoman </figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-9298d1ae640eb8ad785df6054c531c72.jpg" alt="Photo - Shilpa Abbitt of Edmond has run 100 marathons. Photo provided" title="Shilpa Abbitt of Edmond has run 100 marathons. Photo provided"><figcaption>Shilpa Abbitt of Edmond has run 100 marathons. Photo provided</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-7a7649292e18df74c0bbf899e86eaabb.jpg" alt="Photo - Shilpa Abbitt of Edmond has run 100 marathons. Photo provided" title="Shilpa Abbitt of Edmond has run 100 marathons. Photo provided"><figcaption>Shilpa Abbitt of Edmond has run 100 marathons. Photo provided</figcaption></figure><figure><img src="//cdn2.newsok.biz/cache/r960-68f4abed6648a996dd9d603881a0ac11.jpg" alt="Photo - Shilpa Abbitt of Edmond has run 100 marathons. Photo provided" title="Shilpa Abbitt of Edmond has run 100 marathons. Photo provided"><figcaption>Shilpa Abbitt of Edmond has run 100 marathons. Photo provided</figcaption></figure>

Juliana Keeping

Juliana Keeping is on the enterprise reporting team for The Oklahoman and NewsOK.com. Keeping joined the staff of The Oklahoman in 2012. Prior to that time, she worked in the Chicago media at the SouthtownStar, winning a Peter Lisagor Award... Read more ›

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The Morning Brew: Brother, sister flee to China in wake of Oklahoma drug probe