Leah B. Foley United States Attorney for the District of Massachusetts | Department of Justice
Seven Chinese nationals have been charged in connection with a large-scale conspiracy involving marijuana cultivation and distribution across the Northeast, according to federal authorities. The operation allegedly involved interconnected grow houses hidden within single-family homes in Massachusetts and Maine. It is further alleged that Chinese nationals were smuggled into the United States to work in these facilities, having their passports withheld until they repaid their smuggling debts.
The individuals indicted include Jianxiong Chen, Yuxiong Wu, Dinghui Li, Dechao Ma, Peng Lian Zhu, Hongbin Wu, and Yanrong Zhu. They face charges of conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana, along with various counts of money laundering. Six of the defendants were apprehended this morning while Yanrong Zhu remains at large.
United States Attorney Leah B. Foley commented on the case: “This case pulls back the curtain on a sprawling criminal enterprise that exploited our immigration system and our communities for personal gain.” Ted E. Docks from the FBI’s Boston Division stated: “Today, we arrested members of an alleged Chinese-run drug trafficking organization who are accused of running a massive marijuana cultivation and distribution scheme.”
Court documents allege that since January 2020, the defendants operated or collaborated with a network of grow houses in Massachusetts and Maine to produce bulk quantities of marijuana. These operations reportedly included locations in Braintree, Melrose, Greenfield among others. Chen is said to have controlled several grow houses in Maine as well as a residence in Braintree which served as an operational base.
During searches conducted last October at various properties linked to the enterprise over $270,000 was allegedly found alongside several Chinese passports. Additional searches resulted in the seizure of over 109 kilograms of marijuana and nearly $200,000 cash.
The charges carry significant penalties including up to five years imprisonment for conspiracy related offenses and up to 20 years for money laundering conspiracies.
U.S. Attorney Foley announced these developments alongside officials from various law enforcement agencies including the FBI's Boston Division and Massachusetts State Police. Assistant U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Pohl is prosecuting this case under Operation Take Back America which aims to combat illegal immigration and transnational crime organizations.
All allegations remain unproven until confirmed by court proceedings where defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
