Chinese crime groups dominate illegal U.S. marijuana trade, raise concerns
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Chinese organized crime groups have come to dominate much of the illicit marijuana trade in the U.S., fueled by the industry's explosive growth. They brought violence, money laundering, and other crimes.
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Oklahoma has become a top supplier of illegal weed, with Chinese criminal groups overseeing thousands of large grows. State officials estimate the annual value of illegal marijuana there at up to $44 billion.
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The groups operate in a confederation overseen by mafias in New York that originate from southern China. They allegedly maintain ties with the Chinese government.
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U.S. law enforcement struggles to investigate this multifaceted threat due to lack of Mandarin expertise and shift of priorities after 9/11, even as Chinese mafias grow more powerful.
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A quadruple murder on a marijuana farm in Oklahoma brought attention to the issue, but the federal response remains muted as enforcement is a low priority.