Eight Chinese Nationals Indicted in Connection with Large-Scale Marijuana Growing Operations in South Georgia
Eight Chinese nationals have been indicted on felony charges after investigators uncovered massive indoor marijuana growing operations in rural south Georgia. The defendants face multiple charges, including Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and Possess with Intent to Distribute more than 1,000 marijuana plants, according to Jill E. Steinberg, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia.
Conviction on these charges carries a minimum penalty of 10 years in prison, potentially up to life, along with fines reaching up to $10 million and at least five years of supervised release upon completion of any prison term. There is no parole in the federal system.
“This investigation alleges the discovery of a massive clandestine operation illegally growing marijuana on two locations hidden in plain sight,” said U.S. Attorney Steinberg. “Our exceptional law enforcement partners identified these illicit operations and are working to hold these defendants accountable.”
The investigation revealed two large-scale indoor marijuana growing facilities on tracts of land in Pierce and Brantley Counties. Along with conspiracy and drug possession charges, several defendants face additional charges for possessing firearms in furtherance of drug trafficking crimes.
The indicted defendants are:
- Hiawen Huang, 54
- Yim Hung Yuen, 61
- Chen Hui Shu, 35
- Jen Peng Ma, 34
- Zhu Sheng Bing, 64
- Wei Sheng Deng, 42
- Lecai Huang, 67
- Zhi Yong Ma, 52
Hiawen Huang and Yim Hung Yuen are believed to have left the United States. The remaining defendants have appeared in court and are awaiting further legal proceedings.
The case, initiated by the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, is being investigated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office. The prosecution is handled by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia G. Rhodes and Darron J. Hubbard.
