Law enforcement officials in rural Maine recently busted a home with a hidden grow operation, seizing nearly 40 pounds of processed marijuana and uncovering what they describe as a trend of foreign nationals exploiting U.S. state laws that have legalized cannabis for illicit markets in the country. The Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating international criminal organizations operating illegal marijuana grows in about 20 states, including Maine, with a bipartisan group of lawmakers raising concerns about China’s role in these operations. Reports indicate there are currently about 100 illicit grow operations in Maine, with Xisen Guo, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, being accused of transforming a house into a high-tech grow operation in Passadumkeag.
Guo has been charged with federal drug charges and held without bail, making him the first person to be federally charged in such a case in Maine. The Internal Revenue Service, Department of Homeland Security, FBI, DEA, and local law enforcement are working together to investigate the illicit grow operations in the state. While Maine has legalized adult consumption of marijuana, growers must be licensed by the state, and Guo was operating an unlicensed operation. The trend of illegal grow operations with international connections began several years ago and has been a growing concern for law enforcement.
High electricity consumption is often a key indicator of an illegal grow operation, as in the case of the Passadumkeag house, where utility bills increased significantly after the home was purchased for cash. Raids on these operations have revealed sophisticated setups with heat pumps, costly lighting, and specialized electrical equipment needed to grow marijuana. Law enforcement officials have been successful in shutting down several operations in recent months, with dozens closed over the last several months. The involvement of foreign nationals using Maine properties for unlicensed marijuana operations highlights the need for a coordinated effort between federal, state, and local authorities to combat these illicit activities.
Authorities have also busted another illegal grow operation in Machias, Maine, where they found 2,600 plants and 100 pounds of processed marijuana. This operation also exhibited signs of high electricity consumption, including shuttered windows and a strong odor. Law enforcement officials continue to investigate the individuals behind these operations and where the profits are going, highlighting the need for a sustained effort to address the issue. With bipartisan support from lawmakers like Senator Susan Collins and federal agencies like the DEA and FBI involved in the investigations, there is a concerted effort to crack down on illegal marijuana grow operations with international ties in Maine and other states.
The illicit grow operations involving foreign nationals exploiting U.S. state laws to produce marijuana for illicit markets pose a significant challenge for law enforcement, requiring collaboration across federal, state, and local agencies to address the issue. The use of sophisticated technology, high electricity consumption, and ties to international criminal organizations make these operations difficult to detect and dismantle. Law enforcement officials are committed to shutting down these illegal grow operations and preventing further exploitation of state laws for illicit activities. Investigations into the individuals behind these operations and tracking where the profits are going are ongoing, with a focus on disrupting the supply chain and networks involved in illegal marijuana cultivation and distribution.
