Central Maine law enforcement detained six people and seized more than 6,000 marijuana plants from seven illegal marijuana grows in Maine Whitefield, Chelsea, and Jefferson. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office raided unlicensed cannabis crops after a tip from the U.S. Attorney General.
7 illegal marijuana grows in Maine raided with multiple arrests (Photo from NPR)
Arrests in Marijuana Raids: Illegal Marijuana Grows in Maine Over 6000 Plants
On Tuesday, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office executed search warrants at three homes: two in Whitefield and one in Chelsea. Three other properties, two in Jefferson and one in Whitefield were raided the week before for illegal marijuana grows in Maine.
After a January 10 Whitefield search, Xiangming Yi is at large on a felony illegal marijuana grows in Maine allegation. Police are actively seeking his arrest.
Recent arrests are part of a regional crackdown on illegal marijuana grows in Maine operations. The Maine congressional delegation worries about $4.37 billion in illegal Chinese-run marijuana activities. In Belgrade, China, and Cornville, eight more arrests have occurred in the past month due to increased monitoring.
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Illegal Marijuana Grows in Maine Raids Unveil Large-Scale Operations
Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department Lieutenant Mike Murphy said the recent raids yielded 6,066 plants or 107 pounds of processed marijuana, and stressed the ongoing investigations. Authorities are trying to locate the marijuana’s destination out of state.
Out-of-state buyers buy foreclosed or cheap residences and turn them into grow facilities. Lt. Murphy noted that these houses combine farming and living space for the participants. Six Lincoln County arrestees face allegations of marijuana trafficking, cultivation, and criminal conspiracy. Notably, none of the arrested had marijuana cultivation permits.
High-volume marijuana production was carried out by the New York City and San Gabriel, California, accused. The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is working with other agencies to investigate illicit grow operations.
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