On July 11, three Chinese Nationals charged with illegal marijuana cultivation pled not guilty in Lincoln County Unified Criminal Court during individual arraignment hearings. In January, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office led six raids in Whitefield and Chelsea leading to the arrest of seven Chinese Nationals and the issuing of a summons to another person, in connection with alleged illegal marijuana growing cultivation operations. On Jan. 10, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Department, Maine Office of Cannabis Policy and Department of Homeland Security executed three search warrants in Whitefield and Jefferson.

On Jan. 17, law enforcement encountered Zhen Zhong Chen, 45, of New York City at 107 Rockland Road in Jefferson. In court documents, Lincoln County Sheriff’s Det. Matthew Ryan identified Chen through the suspect’s New York State driver’s license, and later discovered Chen’s name was on the house deed.

The search team found over 500 marijuana plants with items needed for cultivation. Chen is charged with a Class B offense of cultivating more than 500 marijuana plants.  He pled “not guilty” at the July 11 arraignment. Chen also has a July 23 docket call.

Weihuan Liu, 41, of Brooklyn, New York was arrested during a raid at 91 Jefferson Road in Whitefield. Law enforcement reported seizing more than 700 plants and 40 pounds of processed marijuana. He was charged with unlawful trafficking of scheduled drugs and cultivating marijuana, both Class B crimes. He pled “not guilty” at the July 11 arraignment.

Huan Ying Li, 57, formerly of New York City, was arrested during a raid at 333 North Howe Road in Whitefield. A police report showed nearly 30 pounds of processed marijuana had been seized. According to Lincoln County property records, Li purchased the property in November 2019. She was charged with trafficking more than 20 pounds of marijuana, a Class B felony. She pled “not guilty” at the July 11 arraignment on an indictment. Li also has a July 23 docket  call.

Ming Da Li, 41, of Brooklyn, New York was arrested at 754 Cooper Road in Chelsea after the seizure of 900 plants. He was charged with the Class B offense of cultivating more than 900 marijuana plants and unlawful trafficking of a scheduled drug. His arraignment was postponed to July 29 due to his attorney’s “medical emergency.” Li also has a July 23 docket call.