Overview:
Presence News has examined the claims and reporting of independent journalist Steven Robinson, shedding light on how organized groups have exploited the state’s geography, economy, and struggling rural identity.
Because knowledge leads to action, Presence News presents this overview to inform the public about one of New England’s most overlooked battles.
Overview
The northeast state famously dubbed “Vacation Land” faces a deepening crisis hidden behind its postcard-perfect coastline and forested mountains. Illegal cannabis cultivation by international criminal networks has quietly reshaped communities across rural Maine. Few journalists have investigated the extent of this shadow economy—until now.
The Smell in the Air
PORTLAND, MAINE – You can’t escape the smell. Since marijuana was legalized for recreational and medical use, the scent of someone “lighting up” has become as common as the salty sea breeze.
According to the Portland Press Herald, fatal overdoses in Maine are down nearly 20 percent, but methamphetamine and Suboxone misuse are on the rise. The American Addiction Centers warn that Suboxone—while used for recovery—can itself become habit-forming in rare cases.
Yet behind the statistics lies another story: the surge of illegal cannabis operations hidden deep within Maine’s woods and small towns.
Call of the Wild
“Chinese organized criminal networks that are international by nature are behind some of the biggest black market marijuana trafficking organizations we’ve seen to date,”
— Raymond Donovan, former Chief of Operations, DEA (via CBC News, 2024)
Donovan’s assessment explains why Maine has become a target for global networks. The state’s remote landscape offers ideal growing conditions and discreet cover, while its proximity to Boston and New York City provides access to major distribution hubs.
Falling property values, aging populations, and limited economic opportunities have created openings for outside investors—some legitimate, others not. Vast tracts of wilderness are identified by map codes like “R1 T13,” far from oversight. As locals say, “The wilderness calls—but those who answer may find something darker than peace and quiet.”
Who Is Steven Robinson?
Independent journalist Steven Robinson, a Maine native, estimates that 300 to 400 rural properties are now controlled by foreign-backed criminal groups. Federal officials under the Biden administration referred to these entities as “Asian transnational criminal organizations.” Robinson simplifies the term: “the Chinese Mafia.”
He first uncovered signs of the network in 2023 and has since devoted his reporting to exposing its reach. Raised in Dexter, Maine, Robinson says he “owes it” to the state that shaped him. After traveling cross-country during the COVID-19 pandemic, he returned home in 2022 and began publishing investigative reports with The Maine Wire.
Budding Trouble
In 2020, Eddie DuGay, a Navy veteran and former Democratic member of the Maine House of Representatives, petitioned local officials in Turner to allow him and two Chinese partners to grow medical marijuana. The request was granted—and business quickly expanded.
Today, DuGay acknowledges his role in the trade’s rapid growth. Speaking with Robinson, he said he never intended to facilitate criminal activity:
“I didn’t go into it thinking, ‘I’m gonna get these Chinese guys involved so they could have 200 grow houses.’ I just get people into compliance. I think all of them thought that if they had me there it would show they were in compliance.”
After being diagnosed with cancer in 2023, DuGay sold his dispensaries.
Smoke in the Forest
Presence News has identified recurring patterns among these illegal grow operations:
- Property purchases in isolated or unincorporated areas.
- Grow sites operating in both legal and black markets.
- Use of local attorneys and front companies to secure legitimacy.
- Funds wired to contacts in major cities.
Investigators say Johnny Wu, a key figure identified in multiple reports, moved to Maine in 2019 and became well-known at grow shops and dispensaries. He obtained a state driver’s license and appeared to live openly with his family while allegedly coordinating operations.
Wu has since been banned from the cannabis industry. According to the Office of Cannabis Policy (OCP), any license holder found in violation of law or regulation will face immediate revocation.
The Road Home
Some commentators, including Tucker Carlson, argue that these networks may be connected to larger geopolitical interests. Others view it as an organized crime problem fueled by lax oversight and rural neglect.
Lawmakers in Augusta introduced new legislation in March 2025 to tighten oversight on marijuana growth and sales. Cannabis industry advocates opposed the measure, arguing that overregulation could harm small growers and legitimate businesses.
The Medical Marijuana Caregivers of Maine responded in a public statement:
“We welcome new caregivers to the industry; those emerging from the illicit market are no exception.”
Environmental groups, meanwhile, warn of the ecological toll from large-scale illegal grows, including chemical runoff and deforestation.
The Fight for Maine’s Future
Regardless of political stance, most Mainers agree—the state is changing. Once a symbol of independence and simplicity, its rural heartland now stands at a crossroads between renewal and decay.
As journalist Robinson continues his investigations, he echoes a message of vigilance: “You have to care about what happens in your own backyard.”
Maine’s story serves as a warning for other states—proof that when regulation lags and communities go unheard, even paradise can become a battleground.
Presence News Editorial Disclaimer
Presence News publishes both staff and contributor reports. This article is based on publicly available information, direct quotations, and the work of independent journalist Steven Robinson. Presence News does not make unverified claims regarding individuals or groups and encourages readers to review linked sources for additional context.
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