A complex network of Chinese-run black market marijuana operations is enveloping the U.S. — and Michigan is caught in the web.
Though the chain of command is murky, politicians, attorneys and law enforcement who spoke with MLive believe the multi-layered networks originate in mainland China — possibly with the knowledge and backing of its government.
The owners target states with lax or confusing marijuana laws and enforcement, or with legal frameworks ripe for manipulation, most publicly in Oklahoma, where Department of Narcotics spokesman Mark Woodward said there’s “clear evidence” of connections to the Chinese Communist Party.
Similar operations have recently been uncovered in Michigan, where state police seized 13,400 cannabis plants from an illicit grow in Lake County’s Baldwin in July and 5,000-plus plants from a warehouse in Iosco County’s Alabaster Township.
Each of the nine people arrested were born in China, some now American citizens, others with green cards or asylum status, defense attorneys told MLive.
At least four are now in custody of United States Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or face immigration detention orders.
Two attorneys representing eight of the defendants in these cases told MLive the workers were low-level pawns exploited — if not human trafficked — by shadowy overlords, required to work long hours in hot warehouses for little to no under-the-table pay and sleeping together in cramped apartments or on grow room floors. x
State police didn’t respond to MLive request for comment.
“Based on recent law enforcement actions in Michigan pertaining to the apprehension of Chinese nationals growing marijuana illegally in our state, it makes sense to be concerned that what is happening across the United States is happening in Michigan as well,” Michigan Cannabis Regulatory Agency Director Brian Hanna said.
‘A CRIMINAL ORGANIZATION’
State police seized 5,057 plants valued near $5 million from a warehouse in Alabaster Township along the shores of Lake Huron on May 29.
“There (is evidence) that that this is part of a criminal organization,” Iosco County Prosecutor James A. Bacarella said. “Everything was going straight from Michigan to New York. I don’t know what happens to it after it goes to New York.”
The Iosco County operation leased a warehouse in 2023 and the four suspects –Meiqing Chen, 53; Wenying Wu, 39; Changning Zhen and Zhenhong Nei — lived together in an Oscoda apartment about 25 miles north of the warehouse, according to charging documents.
Chen, whose name is listed on the lease and invoices according to Bacarella, and Wu are charged with maintaining a drug house and deliver or manufacture of in excess of 45 kilograms of marijuana, punishable by up to 15 years in prison. They expected to enter plea deals when they return to court on Nov. 3, according to court records. The other defendants have been released to ICE.
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