PORTLAND, Maine — Dozens of illegal marijuana growing operations broken up in rural Maine in recent months may be connected to Chinese organized crime, Maine's U.S. attorney announced Friday.
More than 40 such operations in central Maine have been broken up.
"According to the DEA, there are currently transnational criminal organizations involved in illegal marijuana growing activities in at least 20 states," U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee said in a statement. "The possibility that organized criminal enterprises with alleged ties to China are using Maine properties to profit from unlicensed marijuana operations and interstate distribution makes it clear that there is need for a strong and sustained federal, state and local effort to shut down and thoroughly investigate these operations."
Federal authorities have identified about 100 illegal marijuana grows in Maine.
"This number has and will fluctuate as law enforcement continues to shut down the operations or those involved abandon the grows to avoid arrest or prosecution," McElwee said. "We expect this law enforcement action to continue until the individuals operating the illegal grows come to understand that Maine is not a safe or hospitable place for such activity."
She said the people who have been tending the grows and been encountered by law enforcement are either U.S. citizens or "lawful permanent residents living in states like New York and Massachusetts.
"From what we know now, the individuals working in these illicit grows appear to be doing so willingly."
Some people arrested during the busts have claimed they were kidnapped and forced to work without pay.
"Any evidence of human trafficking will be thoroughly investigated and if discovered, vigorously prosecuted," McElwee said.
She ended her statement by saying, "No Maine property owner or anyone else should ever be assumed to be part of a criminal enterprise simply because of their surname or nationality."
