Chinese Pot Grow

EP-106 Chinese Pot Grow I remember first reading the story like it was yesterday.&nbsp; November 2017 dozens of Chinese nationals busted in a ring of illegal pot grows.&nbsp; Here in Washington state, which legalized recreational cannabis in 2012, the story was even more impactful.&nbsp; It wasn’t just a house or a series of houses in one community, but the illegal operation was numerous houses stretching across three counties.&nbsp; Metropolitan suburbs and rural communities were affected by this black market conspiracy. I’ve heard of pot grow busts all my life in Washington state, this wasn’t new.&nbsp; What kept ringing in my head was the term “Chinese nationals.”&nbsp; What was a Chinese national?&nbsp; We don’t call illegal aliens from Central America and Mexico - Panamerican nationals.&nbsp; Why this distinction for these criminals?&nbsp; Furthermore, the news article came at a time where the national media was hopped up on Russian conspiracies like junkies at the methadone clinic.&nbsp; What would the headlines be if these were nefarious Russian nationals growing cannabis illegally in Washington State?&nbsp; Perhaps it would read:&nbsp; “Russian pot farm linked to Trump campaign finance committee.” lulz The bottom line was Chinese citizens were organized, and growing cannabis illegally in my state.&nbsp; I was interested.&nbsp; I was intrigued.&nbsp; I had no idea at that moment just how pervasive and puzzling the problem really was.&nbsp; Yet, life happened.&nbsp; The hyperbole of the Trump Presidency happened.&nbsp; Covid happened. Fast forward to November 2022:&nbsp; My interest in this story peaked again.&nbsp; Murder in Oklahoma, an illegal cannabis grow, and that term again - “Chinese Nationals.”&nbsp; After five years, the problem persists.&nbsp; Still media connections aren’t being made, and coordination of law enforcement seems lacking. This is a podcast about the international crime syndicate nobody knows about:  Chinese Nationals and Cannabis in the United States. Only Some of the Found Examples 2/21/15 - Sophisticated Grow 09/22/16 - Not Forced Labor 06/05/17 - Nine Houses 06/2017 - Trafficking 09/21/17 - Clandestine Group 11/29/17 - Mysterious Financing 11/28/17 - All Chinese Nationals 04/04/18 - Residential Seizure 05/18/18 - Jersey Warehouse 05/29/18 - <a href="https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/foreign-cartels-embrace-h