PORTLAND, ME – U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee today highlighted the significant progress made in combating illegal marijuana operations in rural Maine. The U.S. Attorney’s Office, alongside federal agencies like the DEA, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and IRS, has been collaborating with local and state law enforcement to address the issue, particularly in central Maine.
The coordinated efforts have already yielded considerable results, with over 40 operations dismantled and numerous arrests over recent months. McElwee praised the strong partnerships across federal, state, and local levels, emphasizing the ongoing commitment to curtail these illegal activities. The initiative aims to make Maine a hostile environment for illegal marijuana growers.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the DEA has identified the involvement of transnational criminal organizations, some with potential ties to China, in illegal marijuana grows across at least 20 states. This interstate distribution network and the use of Maine properties for unlicensed operations underscore the necessity of sustained efforts from all levels of law enforcement.
Despite the scale of these operations, there has been no evidence linking them to illegal immigration or human trafficking. Law enforcement encounters have primarily involved U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents from states such as New York and Massachusetts. Investigations into three Chinese nationals apprehended at a northern Maine border crossing also showed no connection to the illegal grows. McElwee assured that any future evidence of human trafficking would lead to rigorous investigation and prosecution.
