Chinese marijuana grow operations worth billions discovered in Maine, says Border Patrol memo.
Illegal Chinese Marijuana Grow Operations Taking Over Rural Maine
According to a leaked memo from Border Patrol, illegal Chinese marijuana grow operations are cropping up throughout rural Maine, posing a significant problem for federal officials. The operations, believed to be profiting China, are spread across the U.S., particularly in rural areas. The Daily Caller News Foundation has reported on this alarming issue.
“270 properties within the state that are actively used by the Chinese”
The memo, dated July, reveals that Border Patrol has identified 270 properties actively used by the Chinese for their illegal marijuana operations in Maine. Shockingly, a single property can generate over $16 million in profit annually, which is likely used for other criminal activities or sent back to China. The total profits from these operations could exceed $4 billion.
Transport Route and Chinese Influence
The memo also highlights the significance of I-95 as the main transport route for bulk cash, illegal narcotics, and illegal aliens. This route, stretching from Miami, Florida, to New Brunswick, enables smugglers to access many adjoining states. The problem of illegal Chinese marijuana grows is not limited to Maine and has been ongoing for years. Chinese nationals involved in these operations have been arrested in states like California and Colorado, as reported by the Portland Press Herald in 2017.
Derek Maltz, the former head of the DEA’s Special Operations Division, emphasizes the lack of deterrence in dealing with these criminals. He states, “Criminals are masters at taking advantage of vulnerabilities.”
Collaboration with Mexican Drug Cartels
Chinese nationals frequently collaborate with Mexican drug cartels, according to Maltz. They use cash from the cartels to purchase properties and make investments in the U.S., forming part of their money laundering scheme.
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Since 2020, the recreational sale of marijuana has been legal in Maine, following the voters’ legalization of the drug in 2016. However, the presence of illegal Chinese marijuana grow operations poses a significant challenge to law enforcement.
Furthermore, it is estimated that up to 90% of the illicit fentanyl found in the U.S. originates from China, highlighting the broader impact of Chinese involvement in the illegal drug trade.
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