Georgia Authorities Raid Illegal Marijuana Growing Facility, Arrest Four Chinese Citizens

Suspects Arrested in Alleged Marijuana Growing Facility

Last week, law enforcement officials in Georgia were in for a surprise when what they thought was an illegal food manufacturing plant turned out to be an illegal marijuana growing facility. The raid resulted in the discovery of a staggering $22.5 million worth of marijuana plants, according to authorities.

Arrests and Charges

Four Chinese citizens, identified as Zhu Sheng Bing, Jinpeng Ma, Chenhui Shu, and Wei Sheng Deng, were taken into custody in connection with the illegal marijuana growing facility in Pierce County. While the first three were legally in the U.S., Wei Sheng Deng has been detained by U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE). All four individuals are facing a charge of felony possession of marijuana, with additional trafficking charges expected, as stated by authorities. They are currently being held without bail.

Statement from Georgia's Agriculture Commissioner

During a news conference to announce the bust, Tyler Harper, Georgia's Agriculture Commissioner, emphasized that criminal activity can infiltrate any industry, including agriculture. He likened criminal activity to water, noting that it often takes the easiest path.

Investigation and Bust

The investigation into the alleged illegal facility began four weeks ago, according to Harper. Pierce County Sheriff Ramsey Bennett revealed that the facility initially claimed to be involved in the production of an "edible food product." However, upon executing a search warrant, authorities discovered over 11,000 marijuana plants, ultimately leading to the bust.

Operation Details

The illegal facility had been operating since 2022 and was not a small-scale operation. Sheriff Bennett noted that individuals associated with the organization had ties to areas spanning from Staten Island, New York, to the Houston metropolitan area. The sheriff further emphasized that the facility in Pierce County was far from average, as it housed thousands of marijuana plants at the time of the search, far exceeding typical backyard or closet operations.