MADISON, Maine — Another illegal marijuana growing operation in rural Maine was busted Tuesday, authorities said.
A team of law enforcement officers raided a residence in Madison on Horsetail Hill Road and said they seized 1,854 marijuana plants and 10 pounds of processed marijuana.
"No individuals were located at the residence/property when the search warrant was executed," Somerset County Sheriff Dale Lancaster said in a statement. "Once the case is reviewed by the Somerset County District Attorney’s Office, criminal charges will be forthcoming against those individuals responsible for the illegal marijuana plant cultivation activities that were, and have been, taking place at the residence/property."
Lancaster said the sheriff's office obtained a search warrant for the property after a month-long investigation that involved the Maine Office of Cannabis Policy, the district attorney offices of Somerset and Kennebec counties, and the U.S. Attorney's Office. Officers with the Drug Enforcement Administration, the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, and Waterville police participated in the raid.
"The Madison Code Enforcement Officer was called to the residence to inspect numerous health and safety violations observed at the residence/outbuildings," Lancaster said. "In the 14 similar illegal marijuana plant cultivation operations that the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office has interrupted, this residence had the worst case of black mold infestation in the interior of the buildings."
Maine law enforcement officials say international criminal organizations are behind the illegal marijuana grows.