The Main Wire uncovers illegal Chinese-operated marijuana grow sites in Maine

The Main Wire, an investigative news outlet, has discovered over 800 Chinese-owned illegal marijuana cultivation sites operating across the United States, with more than 270 of them located in Maine. These unlicensed grow sites are predominantly operated by Chinese nationals who are illegally present in the country. The Chinese owners purchase properties in Maine and use them to grow large quantities of marijuana, often trafficking the product to black markets where it can fetch higher prices. The operations have significant implications for the quality of life in rural Maine, including increased electricity costs, loss of housing for local families, and potential involvement in other criminal activities like human and narcotics trafficking.