PITTSFIELD, MA—Yebin Mai and Dem Wu of Staten Island, NY, were found guilty on Monday by a Berkshire Superior Court jury for their involvement in a large-scale marijuana trafficking operation. The verdict comes after an extensive investigation initiated by an incident on July 30, 2020, involving the Eversource Electric Company and Massachusetts State Police at a residence in Savoy, Massachusetts.
The police were called to 72 Jackson Road after Eversource linemen, responding to a report of power fluctuations, were confronted by Mai who attempted to bribe them with $600 to ignore safety concerns. This led to a police and subsequent DEA intervention. Investigators discovered a sophisticated marijuana cultivation setup with 1,410 plants weighing approximately 560 pounds, indicative of significant trafficking activities.
Mai was convicted of marijuana trafficking of 100 pounds or more but less than 2,000 pounds, and witness intimidation. Wu was also found guilty of trafficking within the same weight class. The operation drew considerable resources, including the Massachusetts State Police Air Wing and the Drug Enforcement Administration, reflecting the operation’s size and the threat it posed to the community.
The case, led by Assistant District Attorney Amy Winston, highlighted the challenges small communities face when confronted with illegal drug operations. District Attorney Shugrue praised the dedicated efforts of the law enforcement teams that led to the peaceful shutdown of the operation. The plea deal initially offered to Mai and Wu was reevaluated by Shugrue, resulting in a trial that underscored the severity of the offenses committed.