Illegal Marijuana Grow Operation Busted in Rural Maine, Linked to International Criminal Organizations
Authorities in rural Maine have uncovered a sophisticated illicit marijuana grow operation, leading to the seizure of nearly 40 pounds of processed marijuana and the arrest of a Chinese national accused of running the operation.
Xisen Guo, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, has been accused of transforming a rural home in Passadumkeag, Maine, into a high-tech grow operation. The bust of the home, located about 60 miles north of Bangor, marked the latest example of foreign nationals exploiting state laws that have legalized cannabis for recreational or medical use in the U.S.
According to court documents unsealed this week, Guo was operating an unlicensed grow operation, in violation of state regulations. The home’s high electricity consumption, cardboard-covered windows, and strong odor of marijuana drew law enforcement’s attention to the illicit operation.
Federal law enforcement officials, including the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, are investigating international criminal organizations operating illegal marijuana grows in about 20 states, including Maine. The bust in Passadumkeag is just one of about 100 illicit grow operations currently under investigation in the state.
Authorities have been cracking down on illegal grow operations with international ties, as the legalization of marijuana in certain states provides cover for illicit activities. The marijuana produced in these operations is often trafficked to states where it remains illegal.
Guo was ordered held without bail on federal drug charges, making him the first person to be charged federally in such a case in Maine. A detention hearing is scheduled for today. Law enforcement officials are working together to dismantle these illegal operations and track down those responsible for directing them.
The bust in Passadumkeag serves as a reminder of the ongoing efforts to combat illegal marijuana grows with international connections. Law enforcement officials are determined to shut down these operations and prevent the profits from flowing into the hands of criminal organizations.
