Collins Advances Provision Strengthening Federal Response to Illegal Marijuana Grows in Maine
Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Susan Collins, Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, advanced language in the Fiscal Year 2025 State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act that directs the Departments of State and Treasury to disclose any information on Chinese criminal syndicates involved in illegal marijuana grows and money laundering in Maine and throughout the United States.
The bill, which was officially approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today, now awaits consideration by the full Senate and House.
“Throughout rural Maine, houses are being destroyed by illegal marijuana grows connected to Chinese criminal organizations. It poses a significant threat to our communities, public health, and national security,” said Senator Collins. “Maine’s county, state, and local law enforcement have been working tirelessly to target these illicit operations, but their efforts must be supported by a robust federal response that can help to identify any possible connections to money laundering or other criminal activity.”
Specifically, the language directs the Departments of State and Treasury to provide the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) – of which Senator Collins serves on as a senior member – and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence any information regarding Chinese criminal syndicates or nationals who may be directly or indirectly involved in marijuana grows and money laundering operations in the United States, including in Maine, California, and Oregon. Information should include, as relevant, any officials of the Government of the PRC and syndicates operating in Southeast Asia. Importantly, this information will be shared with the heads of all relevant federal agencies.
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In response to concerns raised by constituents in 2022, Senator Collins sent a letter to the Maine Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Director requesting that appropriate action be taken to address illegal growing operations in Maine. Since then, Senator Collins and the Maine Delegation sent letters to U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland in August 2023 and January 2024 urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to shut down these operations. In the fall of 2023, she received a briefing on the U.S. DEA’s efforts. Earlier this year, Senator Collins joined a bipartisan, bicameral letter requesting a briefing on the DOJ’s efforts. At the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence’s annual worldwide threats open hearing in March, Senator Collins questioned FBI Director Wray on how the FBI is supporting state, local, and county officials. In April, she questioned Attorney General Garland on this topic at an Appropriations hearing. Senator Collins also questioned Secretary of State Antony Blinken in May on the Government of China’s potential involvement. In response to her questioning in June, FBI Director Wray confirmed a connection between the illegal grow operations and Chinese organized crime.
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