CANAAN, Maine — The accused operator of a massive marijuana growing operation in rural Maine was arrested Wednesday in the parking lot of a Skowhegan Walgreens.
Jian Ji Wu, 63, of Canaan, was charged with illegal marijuana cultivation and drug trafficking.
The Somerset County Sheriff's Office on Tuesday said it broke up the operation, which was housed at a residence in Canaan on Hinckley Road. Officers seized more than 30 pounds of processed marijuana and 859 plants. No people were found at the residence. The town's code enforcement officer was called to the scene due to "safety/health violations" at the home, according to the sheriff's office.
Around 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, a sheriff's office detective arrested Wu, who was driving a silver 2018 Dodge Caravan in the parking lot of the Walgreens. He was taken to the Somerset County Jail and his bail was set at $25,000, with the conditions he not use or possess illegal drugs and submit to random search and testing for illegal drugs. If Wu secures bail, his first court appearance is set for Aug. 7 in Somerset County Unified Criminal Court.
The bust was the latest in a series of raids on illegal marijuana growing operations in rural Maine. In Somerset County alone, there have been 16 busts, according to the sheriff's office. Authorities said the illegal growing operations are tied to Chinese criminal networks.
