Police in Maine seized nearly 2,000 live cannabis plants from a home in the town of Freedom on Monday, in what they’re calling the latest major growing operation bust in the state in recent months. Freedom is a small rural town in Central Maine; population 697.

Members of the Maine State Police Tactical Team and local sheriff’s office executed a search warrant at the home after an investigation identified there was an illegal marijuana growing operation there, reported local ABC outlet WMTW.

The bust occurred just three days after 1,200 cannabis plants were found and seized from an illegal grow operation in Harmony, another small Maine town, this one with a population of 825.

Maine voters approved recreational cannabis in November 2016 but have been plagued with illegal weed operations pretty much since then.

International Assistance

As part of the investigation, the sheriff’s office worked with Homeland Security, the DEA, the State Office of Cannabis Policy and officials from Freedom.

Federal law enforcement officials have said there are at least 100 illicit grow operations in Maine compelling a Congressional Delegation to send a letter to the Department of Justice last August, calling on the agency to help stamp out the presence of foreign-owned and illegally operated marijuana businesses. 

"Law enforcement in the state has identified 270 suspected properties that have been used as illegal Chinese growing operations, producing an estimated $4.37 billion in revenue,” the letter said at the time.

Meanwhile Local Authorities Keeping Busy

The sheriff’s office in Somerset County, which is the county seat encompassing some 20 towns, executed at least 15 search warrants at illegal grow facilities just since January of this year. They reportedly seized 18,000 marijuana plants and 400 pounds of processed cannabis, leading to the arrest of eight people.

Darcie McElwee, U.S. District Attorney for the District of Maine, said authorities have shut down “dozens of operations” over the past months.

“The possible involvement of foreign nationals using Maine properties to profit from unlicensed marijuana operations and interstate distributions makes it clear that there is a need for a strong and sustained federal, state and local effort to shut down these operations,” McElwee said.

The nagging topic of illicit cannabis operations, how they’ve invaded the legal space and their effect will no doubt come up at the at the Benzinga Cannabis Capital Conference in Chicago this October 8-9. Meet top executives, investors, policymakers and advocates to explore the industry’s future. Secure your tickets now before prices increase by following this link.

Now Read: Nearly 58,000 Misdemeanor Cannabis Convictions Expunged Under Minnesota’s Marijuana Legalization Law

Photo: Benzinga edit with image by Kindel Media on Pexels