Transnational criminal organizations scored a major victory Tuesday in their ongoing effort to exploit rural Maine through the illicit cultivation and trafficking of vast amounts of illegal cannabis.
The only bill that would have led to a more aggressive crackdown on the illegal operations failed to secure support in the Maine House of Representatives voted, with a bipartisan majority voting against a bill that would have made it harder for the criminal organizations to operate with impunity throughout rural Maine.
Rep. John Andrews (R-Paris), the author of the bill, introduced the measure in response to a leaked Department of Homeland Security memo that indicated Asian transnational criminal organizations have developed a network of more than 270 illegal cannabis growing facilities.
According to the DHS memo, the proceeds of those funds are used to finance human trafficking, fentanyl trafficking, and other activities of the Chinese Communist Party.
Andrews’ bill would have banned foreign nationals from certain hostile countries from acquiring or owning land in Maine, given Maine what’s known as a “Little RICO” statute, and required public utilities to report to the Maine State Police on sudden changes in electricity usage that law enforcement commonly associates with cannabis cultivation.
The bill would have, for example, prevented a recent real estate transaction in which Paul H. Mills, the brother of Gov. Janet Mills (D), helped a Chinese national acquire nine-acres in Penobscot County.
In an 84 to 61 vote, the House opted to accept the minority report of Joint Standing Committee on Criminal Justice and Public Safety.
During the committee vote, the “ought to pass as amended” report was backed by a bipartisan majority of members, including Sen. Matt Harrington (R-York), Sen. David LaFountain (D-Kennebec), Rep. Michael Lajoie (D-Lewiston), Rep. Daniel Newman (R-Belgrade), Rep. Robert Nutting (R-Oakland) and Rep. Chad Perkins (R-Dover-Foxcroft) all voted to accept an amended version of the bill.
A minority of the committee members voted to reject the bill, including Sen. Anne Beebe-Center (D-Knox), Rep. Suzanne Salisbury (D-Westbrook), Rep. Tavis Hasenfus (D-Readfield), Rep. Kristi Matheson (D-Kittery), and Rep. Nina Milliken (D-Blue Hill).
When the measure came up for a roll call vote Tuesday afternoon, the vote did not fall neatly along partisan lines. Democratic leadership opted to move the committee’s minority report, meaning that a “Yes” vote would oppose the proposal while a “No” vote would support the proposal.
Assistant House Republican Leader Amy Arata (R-Gray New Gloucester), Rep. Larry Dunphy (R-Embden), Rep. David Boyer (R-Poland), Rep. Lucas Lanigan (R-Sanford), Rep. Laurel Libby (R-Auburn), and Rep. Tracy Quint (R-Hodgdon) all joined Democrats to help kill the bill.
Rep. Lajoie , Rep. Kevin O’Connell (D-Brewer), and Rep. Walter Riseman voted with Republicans in favor of Andrews’ bill.
Andrews bill would establish stringent measures against the perpetration of racketeering in connection with scheduled drugs, including illegally grown cannabis as well as synthetic opioids like fentanyl.
The legislation would establish in Maine what’s known in 33 other states as a “Little RICO” law, a provision that would allow prosecutors to target individuals engaged in a pattern of criminal activity related to the drug trade with severe penalties.
Such a pattern would be defined as the involvement in at least three criminal acts within a decade, not necessarily linked by a single event but by a common scheme or a shared criminal enterprise. The proposal would target those who maintain control over enterprises through criminal activities, with particular emphasis on the production, manufacturing, or trafficking of scheduled drugs.
Offenders found guilty under the proposed law could face Class A crimes, with penalties extending up to 20 years in prison, or fines reaching $1,000,000. Those involved in the aggravated trafficking of scheduled drugs would see even harsher sentences, with imprisonment terms of up to 30 years. The legislation would also allow for the imposition of fines up to three times the economic gain or loss resulting from the criminal activity, alongside the costs of investigation and prosecution.
A notable aspect of the bill is its provision for the forfeiture of assets, both real and personal, used in the commission of racketeering crimes. This would involve the forfeiture of positions, offices, contracts, and any property derived from criminal conduct.
Andrews bill would have also turned over any residential properties confiscated as the result of criminal investigations to the Maine State Housing Authority for rehabilitation and re-sale.
The bill would have also required Maine’s public utilities to report to the Maine State Police when electricity usage or infrastructure upgrades at a residence surges in a pattern typically associated with large-scale marijuana cultivation.
Lastly, the bill would have imposed restrictions on real estate acquisitions by aliens from certain countries identified adversarial by the U.S. State Department, a list which currently includes the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, and North Korea.
The proposal will now head to the Maine Senate for consideration, where it is expected to meet a similar outcome.
To read more about the proliferation of transnational organized crime in Maine, check out any of the following stories:
- How Chinese Marijuana Grows Took Over Rural Maine
- Triad Weed: One NYC Bank Financed More Than 50 Illicit Chinese Marijuana Grow Houses in Rural Maine…
- State Law Enforcement, Feds Struggle to Clamp Down on Illegal Chinese Drug Operations in Maine
- Maine Legislature Will Consider Proposal to Fight Chinese-owned Marijuana Operations
- Collins, Golden Renew Call for DOJ Action Against Illicit Chinese Marijuana Grows Following Maine Wire Report
- Maine Law Enforcement Raids Machias Marijuana Grow, Arrests Three Suspected Non-Citizens
- Illegal Marijuana Grow in China, Maine Busted, 970 Plants Seized, Three Arrested
- Raid on Illegal Chinese Marijuana Operation in Western Maine Seizes Illicit Drugs Worth $1M+
- Two Weeks After $1M Western Maine Marijuana Raid, Wilton Still Abuzz With Illicit Drug Activity
Why did they reject this?
Maine is becoming so much like all these other left leaning states where if your a illegal you don’t have to follow any laws! You can do what ever you want no problem.
But don’t let an American citizen try skirting any laws they will throw the book at you.
Politicians think and say these illegals are contributing to our communities by creating jobs, changing our culture and bringing there way of life here regardless if good or bad like money laundering is ok now. Being legally licensed is for us Not them.
Maybe we need more politicians like AOC she wanted to go to medical school but couldn’t afford it.
Just think if she became a brain surgeon it would be like Al Bundy going in for back surgery and end up getting circumcised instead.
Our Maine Government and Governor and State Police do little to nothing now to investigate ,arrest, charge , and convict the Trident Criminal Organization problem now ., would a bunch of new “written on paper “ laws change anything or just be more laws to ignore ? A lot of our government are getting their beaks wet looking the other way . Seems as though you can’t fix crooked .
The more difficult liberals make things for landlords, the fewer rental units there will be. Over regulation works directly against solving the housing crisis.
Interesting that a much needed law like this is rejected, just as law enforcement seems to have dropped the ball, and are letting the Chinese operate with impunity. I guess it’s up to the citizens of Maine to put a stop to it. The democRATS are making too much money working WITH the Chinese, and will never do anything to stop it.
…expect nothing less than from the minions running this state. Trying to become as relevant as California, New York or Colorado. Despicable!
In all honesty what is going on.
Common sense has left Maine. I can’t wait to move out of this state.
In confusion there is opportunity. Make no mistake, Dems actually want illegal weed grows, sex trafficking and fentanyl addiction. They are creating more problems they can “solve” later with higher taxes, bigger government, more laws and restrictions on law abiding citizens.
Another step in Maines becoming a third world shit hole.
PFFFFFT. IF Maine wanted to stop illegal-drug-trafficking, by China or anyone else, all it would have to do is make all those drugs LEGAL. Once everyone can grow/make as many drugs as they want, those drugs will become WORTHLESS, & will no longer be used to finance any other crimes. Only the current laws make them scarce, & drive up their value. This is Economics 101, folks. If, OTOH, the state is trying to protect addicts, the solution is universal healthcare.
The Speaker of the House has a long reputation for using public monies to line her/family/Friends pockets. Investigate her Maine Wire! All her life she has surrounded her self with inmates/criminals/shady characters…why wouldn’t she keep it up by making the Chinese part of her posse. I notice someone suggested Mainers take back our streets, See it, Say it….Maine Fire Marshalls Office allows Arson to happen everyday, just sayin’. Play my favorite song, “Burning down the house “
Joe m. Exactly correct! Than they swoop in to solve the problem with more govt. But when they do away with police locally , the u.n. will be the world police , and our constitution will be a door mat
My husband and I moved here several years back (I grew up in Maine). We bought a home and have decent jobs. Moving has been a conversation we’ve had several times now in the past year. These politicians are ruining the lives of tax payers/citizens and they just don’t care. We’ll take our money to a state that protects it’s citizens.
Anyone that voted to kill this bill should be voted out I don’t care what party! This is a true insanity! It’s long past time to hold this politicians to the standard that they were elected too! Mills for one, a long time druggie that was federally investigated years ago and these legislators that want to disarm citizens, but, refuse to pass laws to protect citizens from illegal drug growing and manufacture done by illegals should be ousted, and many if not all stand trial for endangerment of citizens including children! Come on folks drop the party crap and take a stand to defend the welfare of the young!!
It means that ellected folks are in on the pot proffites right Sent President.
Who owns The Maine Wire? – the whois registration is set to private with a Tempe Arizona address. Is this legislation something that would stand up in court? In that regard if this wouldnt stand up in court – is this an actual story? If you want to point the blame what about the immigration legislation that the GOP decided to not pass a month or so ago? What about the Grover Norquist “defund” the US government movement in the GOP? How are you going to hire agents and lawyers to do anything like enforce immigration and triad stuff? Wake up dummies ….
if you hover your mouse over the “share” icon on a comment there are a couple options – VK.COM, and OK.COM for instance, are russian companies, so basically themainewire is a russian trump front. You can’t make this stuff up. Dont take my word for it though, try it yourself and prove me wrong. i made a video and i am sharing to socials
Stupid caucasian you see how fleshmask work so well?
Every one who didn’t attend the vote we find out and send fleshmask to vote in their place
Soon we have a vote to round up caucasian narcotics users and fly them to ukraine to help destroy moscow
we teach russian refugees make fleshmasks too!!!
CDFI committee all fleshmasks too
I have keebler elf fleshmask right now, I drive circles around senator baldacci house ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
maine is the most corrupt state in the country