Triad Weed: 15 Raids Seize Nearly 10 Tons of Black Market Cannabis from Chinese-Controlled Sites in Maine
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Triad Weed: 15 Raids Seize Nearly 10 Tons of Black Market Cannabis from Chinese-Controlled Sites in Maine

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Maine law enforcement agencies have seized more than 18,000 pounds of illegally grown marijuana from properties across rural Maine owned and operated by Chinese individuals that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) believes are part of Asian Transnational Criminal Organizations (ATCOs).

In a leaked DHS memo, a federal official estimated that there are more than 270 such sites operating in Maine alone and hundreds more in other states. The proceeds of the illicit drug manufacturing and trafficking operation are used, according to the memo, to finance human trafficking, narcotics trafficking, and other criminal activities.

An exclusive investigation by the Maine Wire has identified more than 200 properties in rural Maine that were purchased by Chinese out-of-staters since 2020 and now appear to be operating as illegal marijuana grows.

Carmel Bust: June 23, 2023

  • Over 3,400 marijuana plants and 111 lbs of processed marijuana seized;
  • Four arrests: Yong Chao Huang, 53; Weihan Huang, 51; LuMing Chen, 51; Jun Zheng Luo;
  • All four charged with Illegal Cultivation of Marijuana.

Wilton Bust: November 28, 2023

  • 1,311 live marijuana plants, 200 lbs of illegally cultivated dried marijuana seized;
  • No arrests made public, general manager said the facility was operated by four Asian men who said they were from Calif., Wash., N.Y., and Mass.
  • Property (128 Weld Rd., Wilton) owned by Travis Gray Trucking, said he had no knowledge of the grow operation.

Machias Bust: December 14, 2023

  • 2,607 live marijuana plants and more than 100 lbs of processed cannabis seized;
  • Three arrests: Ming Li, 52, of Machias; Dong Yang Li, 60, of Brooklyn, N.Y.; Peng You Phang, 61, of Machias;
  • All three charged with Illegal Cultivation of Marijuana and Unlawful Trafficking in Scheduled Drugs;
  • Property (434 E. Kennebec Rd., Machias) purchased by HBA Properties, Mass.-based company in 2021 — company officers are Fanny Sun, Qiao Yi Wu, Sinh Phat Voong, and Zhan Su.

China Bust: December 30, 2023

  • 970 marijuana plants and “many seedlings” seized;
  • Three arrests: Changgeng Chen, male, 36; Bing Xu, male, 41; Aiqin Chen, female, 43;
  • All three charged with Unlawful Trafficking of Scheduled Drugs;
  • Property (1144 Route 3, China) purchased by Yuzhen Chen, 41, in October 2023.

Belgrade Bust: January 2, 2024

  • Two operations, 2,300 live marijuana plants seized;
  • Two men arrested: Yequan Chen, 44, of Mass.; Lin Min Chan, 66, of Fla.;
  • Both men charged with Illegal Cultivation of Marijuana and Unlawful Trafficking in Scheduled Drugs;
  • First property (24 Guptill Rd., Belgrade) purchased by Ying Ci Mei, 50, of Brooklyn, N.Y., in February 2021;
  • Second property (130 Point Rd., Belgrade) purchased by Siu Yin Huang, 65, of Uncasville Conn., in Aug. 2021.

Cornville Bust: January 17, 2024

  • 750 marijuana plants and 90 pounds of processed marijuana seized;
  • Three arrests: Huansheng Mai, 74; Yuling Mei, 63; Yiming Hu, 68;
  • All three charged with Illegal Cultivation of Marijuana and Unlawful Trafficking in Scheduled Drugs.

Chelsea/Whitefield Busts: January 31, 2024

  • Weihuan Liu, 41, of Brooklyn, N.Y.: Arrested during the raid of 91 Jefferson Road. More than 700 plants and 40 lbs of processed marijuana seized.
  • Huan Ying Li, 57, formerly of NYC. Arrested during the raid of 333 North Howe Road, Whitefield. Nearly 30 pounds of processed marijuana seized. According to Lincoln County property records, Li purchased the property in November 2019.
  • Zhen Zhong Chen, 45, the property owner of 170 Rockland Road, Jefferson, was arrested at his residence after the seizure of 820 plants.
  • Ming Da Li, 41, of Brooklyn, N.Y., arrested at 754 Cooper Road, Chelsea, after the seizure of nearly 900 plants. According to property records, the residence was purchased Aug. 2020 by Xinqiao Huang of Brooklyn, N.Y.
  • Wan Ting Xiao, 50, of San Gabriel, Calif., arrested at 19 Abby Lane, Whitefield, after the seizure of 2,294 plants and 40 pounds of processed marijuana.
  • Ding Zhan Liao, 49, of Brooklyn, N.Y., also arrested at 19 Abby Lane.
  • 61-year-old Xiangming Yi fled Whitefield grow and is still at large.
  • Total: 6,600 marijuana plants seized. Six arrests.

Read more of the Maine Wire’s “Triad Weed”

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