WHITEFIELD, Maine – Authorities in Lincoln County have made a significant bust, uncovering multiple illegal marijuana operations and leading to the arrest of six individuals. This comes as part of an ongoing crackdown on illegal cannabis cultivation in the state.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office announced that they had apprehended six people after discovering thousands of cannabis plants in Chelsea, Whitefield, and Jefferson. The operations were uncovered in January, with one raid resulting in the arrest of two individuals and the confiscation of 2,300 illegal cannabis plants at a residence in Whitefield.
In addition to these arrests, four others in Whitefield and surrounding towns were also taken into custody in connection with illegal marijuana grow houses. Authorities have also issued an arrest warrant for a seventh suspect, identified as Xiangming Yi, who is currently on the run.
This recent string of raids has come amid efforts from Maine’s congressional delegation to crack down on Chinese-run marijuana operations, which they claim include 270 suspected properties across the state. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) emphasized the seriousness of the issue, expressing concern about the widespread nature of these illegal grow operations across the state.
The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office believes that the marijuana grown in these illegal operations was being shipped out of Maine, raising concerns about the potential impact of these widespread operations on the state’s cannabis industry. The office has urged anyone with information on this investigation or any knowledge of other possible illegal operations to come forward.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities remain vigilant in their efforts to combat illegal marijuana cultivation and trafficking in Maine. The crackdown serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in addressing the underground cannabis market in the state.