Law enforcement officials in rural Maine recently busted an illicit marijuana grow operation in Passadumkeag that was being operated by a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China. This operation, which had transformed a home into a high-tech grow facility, was just one example of a larger trend of foreign nationals exploiting U.S. state laws that have legalized cannabis to produce marijuana for the illicit market. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration is currently investigating international criminal organizations operating illegal marijuana grows in about 20 states, Maine included. In Passadumkeag, nearly 40 pounds of processed marijuana were seized, and the suspect, Xisen Guo, was held without bail on federal drug charges.
The state of Maine has legalized adult consumption of marijuana, but growers must be licensed by the state. Guo was operating an unlicensed operation, according to court documents. The trend of illicit grow operations across the U.S. began cropping up several years ago, with authorities in various states discovering illegal operations with international ties. In states where marijuana consumption and cultivation are legal, illegal grow operations can fly under the radar, enabling traffickers to distribute the product in states where it remains illegal. Authorities are working together at both the federal and local levels to crack down on these illicit operations, with U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee stating that stopping illegal growing operations with international connections is a top priority.
Law enforcement officials were able to zero in on the Passadumkeag grow operation based on several red flags, including the home’s high electricity consumption, cardboard-covered windows, and odor of marijuana. After the home was purchased for cash, the electricity use skyrocketed, leading investigators to suspect the presence of heat pumps, costly lighting, and other equipment needed for growing marijuana. Guo’s attorney did not respond to requests for comment, but two others who were present during the police raid were released and not charged. Dozens of similar operations have been shut down over the past several months as law enforcement works to dismantle the network of illegal grow operations being run by foreign nationals.
The push to shut down these operations is part of a larger effort by federal, state, and local law enforcement to address the issue of unlicensed marijuana cultivation and distribution. The involvement of foreign nationals using Maine properties to profit from these illegal operations underscores the need for a coordinated approach to combatting the issue. Authorities are also investigating the individuals behind the operations and where the profits are going, as they work to dismantle these networks. The collaboration between various law enforcement agencies has already shown progress, with numerous operations being shut down and individuals facing federal charges as a result. The goal is to continue targeting these illicit grow operations and prevent them from profiting off the legal cannabis market in the U.S.
