Bear Pond Conservative Chronicles, Ray Cardello, 9/2/24, Volume 1- 33

Today is my 1,400th article published and consecutive day writing, and I wish I had something more upbeat to opine on. Unfortunately, in these crazy upside-down times, we have much to be upset about, and positive stories are yearned for. The Chinese cartel illegal marijuana enterprise continues to evolve, and the two newest elements should make people angry and interested.

I wrote a few weeks ago that after a busy winter of busts of these illegal farms, there had not been any activity since April. This sudden halt to law enforcement activity to stop these illegal operations came after a period where we were seeing at least one bust a day. We know there are hundreds of locations growing and shipping pot, but they are being allowed to run without any explanation from the Governor, State or local police, or DHS. Somebody pulled the plug on solving this issue, and that is wrong. Thanks to the Maine Wire, we have a roster of locations, we know that huge amounts of power have been installed, and in some cases, meters have been rigged to steal the power. We can guess who shut down the police, but that will probably be a waste of time and it is probably above our pay grade. What is not above our level is the danger these operations pose to the neighbors. These neighborhoods deserve better and answers to why they are being abandoned.

Another twist is that according to the Maine Wire, some of the sites that were shut down as illegal have been given permits to resume their operations. They are still in residential areas, still overpowered for their designed usage, probably still using more power than the building is designed for, and maybe even stealing the power. The neighborhoods smell of burning pot, and there are still humans held against their will. But the state is getting tax revenue so that assuages all sins.

Finally, it has been uncovered this week that the Chinese cartel is in possession of dangerous, if not lethal, chemicals that they are using as fertilizer on the marijuana plants. If true, anyone who uses Chinese-grown cannabis may be getting far more than they bargained for. A confidential briefing given to Maine law enforcement has revealed an international network of Chinese organized crime that is distributing potent neurotoxic pesticides to illicit marijuana grows, including Maine. If true, the pot being harvested in these illegal farms may not be just unlawful, but tainted.

Law enforcement has to get back to thwarting these cartel owned properties. We know there are over 200 in the state and pot is the tip of the sword. They are also into human and sex trafficking and pose immediate threats to the neighborhoods as well as the damage done by the smell of harvested and dead plants. Whoever put a stop to legal action must be uncovered, and the busts allowed to resume. These are not citizens, they have no rights under our Constitution, they committed a crime upon entering the United States and they should not be rewarded with permits, but search warrants.

We owe a huge thanks to Steve Robinson and the Maine Wire for being the lone voice to stay on top of this story.