Maine
Feds bust another illegal grow house in Maine as authorities probe foreign-backed drug trade in other states
The high electricity consumption of a home, its cardboard-covered windows and odor of marijuana drew law enforcement’s attention to an illicit grow operation off the beaten path in rural Maine.
The bust of the home with a hidden grow operation and seizure of nearly 40 pounds of processed marijuana marked the latest example of what authorities describe as a yearslong trend of foreign nationals to exploit U.S. state laws that have legalized cannabis for recreational or medical use to produce marijuana for the illicit markets in the U.S.
The Drug Enforcement Administration is investigating international criminal organizations that are operating illegal marijuana grows in about 20 states, including Maine, Attorney General Merrick Garland told the Senate Appropriations Committee last week, in response to a question raised by Republican Sen. Susan Collins of Maine.
A bipartisan group of 50 U.S. lawmakers, Collins among them, had written to Garland in February asking for him to answer questions about China’s role in illegal marijuana operations in the country.
“We are deeply concerned with reports from across the country regarding Chinese nationals and organized crime cultivating marijuana on United States farmland,” they wrote.
Federal law enforcement officials said there currently are about 100 illicit grow operations in Maine, like the one in Passadumkeag, about 60 miles north of Bangor, and about 40 search warrants have been issued since June.
In Passadumkeag, Xisen Guo, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in China, has been accused of transforming the house into a high-tech, illicit grow operation, according to court documents unsealed this week.
He was ordered held without bail Friday on federal drug charges, making him the first person to be charged federally in such a case in Maine. A detention hearing is scheduled for Monday.
The Internal Revenue Service and Department of Homeland Security, along with the FBI and DEA and local law enforcement, are working together to get to the bottom of the illicit grow operations in Maine, Garland said.
The state legalized adult consumption of marijuana, but growers must be licensed by the state. The Maine Office of Cannabis Policy said Guo was operating an unlicensed operation, according to court documents.
The illicit grow operations across the U.S. began cropping up several years ago. In 2018, U.S. authorities arrested a Seattle woman, conducted raids and seized thousands of marijuana plants during an investigation of an operation with Chinese ties. Oklahoma officials learned straw owners in China and Mexico were running illegal operations after marijuana was legalized by the state for medical purposes in 2018.
The legality of marijuana consumption and cultivation in those states tends to provide cover for illegal grow operations, which may draw less attention, officials said. The marijuana is then trafficked in states where it’s illegal.
In Maine, U.S. Attorney Darcie McElwee said thwarting illegal growing operations with international connections is a priority for law enforcement, “and we will continue to marshal every tool at our disposal in this effort as appropriate.”
Law enforcement officials know the tell-tale signs.
Police zeroed in on the Passadumkeag operation in part because of the home’s utility bills reviewed by deputies. After the home was purchased for $125,000 cash, the electricity use went from about $300 a month to as high as nearly $9,000, according to court documents.
That’s consistent with heat pumps, costly lighting and other gear needed to grow marijuana, investigators said. The home owner, a limited liability company, upgraded the electric capability to double what is found in a typical Maine home, according to documents.
Raymond Donovan, the former chief of operations for the DEA, told CBS News earlier in April that unusually high electricity bills are one of the easiest ways to spot an illegal grow operation.
“These locations consume huge amounts of electricity,” he told CBS News. “In order to accommodate that amount of energy, you need to upgrade your electrical infrastructure — and significantly. We’re getting into specialty electrical equipment that is very scarce and hard to come by, especially in the state of Maine.”
Another illegal growing operation — where authorities found 2,600 plants and 100 pounds of marijuana that had already been processed and packaged — was busted in Machias, Maine, in December of last year. It was spotted by authorities for the same reasons that the Passadumkeag house drew attention.
Machias Police Chief Keith Mercier said that operation was using about four or five times as much power as a normal residence would.
“Once we subpoenaed the power records from the power company, [it] was pretty hard to explain why somebody anywhere would be using that amount of power,” he told CBS News. The Machias grow house also had shuttered windows and a strong odor.
Guo’s attorney didn’t immediately return a call from The Associated Press. Two others who were at the home at the time of the police raid in February were released and not charged.
McElwee said law enforcement — from local and county police to the FBI and DEA — are starting to make headway with “dozens of operations” shuttered over the last several months.
“The possible involvement of foreign nationals using Maine properties to profit from unlicensed marijuana operations and interstate distributions makes it clear that there is a need for a strong and sustained federal, state and local effort to shut down these operations,” she said.
Law enforcement officials also continue to investigate who is directing the operations and where the profits are going, she said.
Maine
Maine Lottery results: See winning numbers for Mega Millions, Pick 3 on Dec. 12, 2025
The Maine Lottery offers several games for those aiming to win big.
You can pick from national lottery games, like the Powerball and Mega Millions, or a variety of local and regional games, like the Pick 3, Pick 4 and Gimme 5.
While your odds of winning a big jackpot in the Powerball or Mega Millions are generally pretty slim (here’s how they compare to being struck by lightning or dealt a royal flush), other games offer better odds to win cash, albeit with lower prize amounts.
Here’s a look at Friday, Dec. 12, 2025 results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 12 drawing
10-50-55-58-59, Mega Ball: 05
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing
Day: 7-8-7
Evening: 2-2-6
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing
Day: 4-2-5-7
Evening: 7-7-0-7
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 12 drawing
06-20-23-30-36, Lucky Ball: 11
Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Gimme 5 numbers from Dec. 12 drawing
09-11-12-30-37
Check Gimme 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
When are the Maine Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 10:59 p.m. ET Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 11 p.m. ET on Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3, 4: 1:10 p.m. (Day) and 6:50 p.m. (Evening) ET daily.
- Lucky For Life: 10:38 p.m. ET daily.
- Lotto America: 10:15 p.m. ET on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Gimme 5: 6:59 p.m. ET on Monday through Friday.
- Cash Pop: 8:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 2:30 p.m., 6:30 p.m. & 11:30 p.m. ET daily.
Winning lottery numbers are sponsored by Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.
Where can you buy lottery tickets?
Tickets can be purchased in person at gas stations, convenience stores and grocery stores. Some airport terminals may also sell lottery tickets.
You can also order tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network, in these U.S. states and territories: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Puerto Rico, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. The Jackpocket app allows you to pick your lottery game and numbers, place your order, see your ticket and collect your winnings all using your phone or home computer.
Jackpocket is the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network. Gannett may earn revenue for audience referrals to Jackpocket services. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER, Call 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 18+ (19+ in NE, 21+ in AZ). Physically present where Jackpocket operates. Jackpocket is not affiliated with any State Lottery. Eligibility Restrictions apply. Void where prohibited. Terms: jackpocket.com/tos.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a USA Today editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Maine
Citizen’s initiative wants to roll back recreational cannabis use in Maine
Maine
Maine Commission releases first recommendations to combat growing deed fraud threat
PORTLAND (WGME) — Maine has spent the past two years grappling with a rise in deed fraud schemes.
The CBS13 I-Team first began investigating after an elderly man didn’t receive his tax bill and learned someone had transferred his property without his knowledge.
Since then, multiple landowners have come forward saying something similar almost happened to them. Our reporting has uncovered for-sale signs posted on land, fake driver’s licenses and signed agreements to transfer deeds; all tied to scam attempts.
Maine has spent the past two years grappling with a rise in deed fraud schemes. (The Nathanson family)
The growing pattern prompted a state commission to issue new recommendations aimed at stopping the fraud.
Landowners say scam nearly cost them their property
Two summers ago, Cheryl and Ralph Nathanson learned their land on Little Sebago Lake had been put up for sale online.
“We could have lost our property,” Cheryl Nathanson said.
The Nathansons, who live in Connecticut, were stunned when they discovered a fraudulent listing for their Maine plot.
“We notified the police and they said they can take a report on it but that there’s nothing they could really do,” Ralph Nathanson said.
Police told them it was a classic case of deed fraud: scammers posing as property owners, listing land they don’t own and disappearing with the cash.
The couple was advised to sign up for property alerts through the Cumberland County Registry of Deeds, but quickly learned those alerts offered little protection.
“You can register for the deed fraud but it only informs you, by email, after the deed has been transferred. So it’s basically worthless,” Ralph Nathanson said.
A realtor lists their property…. Again
The following summer, the Nathansons discovered a real estate sign had been placed on their land.
“I was notified by a neighbor that there was a for-sale sign, a realtor for-sale sign, on our land,” Ralph Nathanson said.
A realtor from Old Orchard Beach had unknowingly entered into an agreement with someone impersonating the couple.
“Some of the information was correct, some of it wasn’t. You can get anything off of Google,” Cheryl Nathanson said.
Ralph Nathanson remembers confronting the agent.
“You are selling my property and I’m not selling the property,” Ralph Nathanson said. “The phone went silent.”
Despite the ordeal, the couple believes they were lucky to have seen the sign, knowing how bad these schemes can get.
State commission concludes work on deed fraud
“Currently, you all might be landowners and your land might be at risk, and you might not know right now that somebody has sold your land,” Jane Towle with the Real Estate Commission said, during the final meeting of the Deed Fraud Commission.
This fall, a state commission of stakeholders convened to examine ways to prevent deed fraud in Maine.
The Nathansons urged the commission to go beyond awareness campaigns.
CBS13 I-Team Reporter Stephanie Grindley: “You think the state should act beyond just awareness?”
Cheryl Nathanson: “100%.”
Ralph Nathanson: “Absolutely. I think the state of Maine has a responsibility to protect landowners.
But not everyone in the meeting agreed on the scope of the problem.
Attorney General calls deed fraud a low-priority scam
In the final meeting, Attorney General Aaron Frey remained staunch in his skepticism, saying complaints of deed fraud are still relatively rare.
“What we’re seeing for people getting hurt and losing money, this would probably not be the thing I want to highlight over other scams that are happening right now that are actually costing people their retirement savings,” Frey said.
Sen. Henry Ingwersen of York, who spearheaded the commission, sat down with the I-Team following the final meeting.
Grindley: “During the meeting, I did hear the Attorney General essentially call this a non-issue. His office isn’t getting complaints. He doesn’t see a bunch of consumers loosing money to this. Has that changed your stance?”
Ingwersen: “We’ve had three that have really been highlighted just in southern Maine. We haven’t heard a lot from around the rest of the state, but there has been some, so I think that even though it’s rare, we really need to address it.”
“I was pleased that we did come up with a couple of recommendations that we’re going to put in the report,” Ingwersen said.
Key Recommendation: Verify the seller’s identity
The first area of agreement among most, not all, stakeholders would legally require listing agents to verify a seller’s identity.
“The way it is now, it’s best practice. And a lot of professionals are doing best practice,” Ingwersen said. “The red flags in deed fraud are cash sale, land only, a quick sale at below-market value If we had realtors really paying attention to those red flags but also a policy that would require them to check the identity of the fraudulent seller, or of the seller, thoroughly, I think it would prevent, even if it prevented one instance of deed fraud, I think it would be very helpful.”
The commission did not outline exactly how identification should be verified.
“We didn’t really specify what that identification process was going to be. We’re leaving that up to rule making,” Ingwersen said.
Second Recommendation: Easier path to undo a fraudulent deed
Currently, the only way to reverse a fraudulent deed in Maine is to go to court.
The commission proposes allowing an attorney to file an affidavit with the registry.
“Allow an attorney to file an affidavit with the deed recorder that would allow the deed to be, the fraudulent deed, to be nullified in a way that is a little bit quicker than we currently have,” Ingwersen said.
The recommendations will now head to the Legislature’s Judiciary Committee. Any legislative change likely wouldn’t take effect until 2027, if the proposals make it into a bill and then survive a vote.
“I think we made some good progress, but I don’t think this is going to go away. I think this will continue,” Ingwersen said.
Landowners fear fraud will try until it succeeds
“We were thinking, do we take a loan out on it just to secure it?” Ralph Nathanson said.
As the legislative process begins, the Nathansons say Maine cannot wait. They fear it’s only a matter of time before a sale of their land goes through.
“To lose land like this or to find out that their land is now gone, I just can’t imagine that,” Ralph Nathanson said.
Ideas Left on the Table: Title Freeze and National Guidance
Several proposals failed to gain traction, including a “title freeze.” a concept similar to a credit freeze that would allow a landowner to lock their deed from unauthorized transfers. Maine could have been the first state to pilot it, but members said they lacked enough information.
Instead, they pointed to national group studying deed fraud. The Uniform Law Commission is drafting model legislation that states, including Maine, could adopt to better protect landowners.
-
Alaska7 days agoHowling Mat-Su winds leave thousands without power
-
Texas1 week agoTexas Tech football vs BYU live updates, start time, TV channel for Big 12 title
-
Ohio1 week ago
Who do the Ohio State Buckeyes hire as the next offensive coordinator?
-
Washington4 days agoLIVE UPDATES: Mudslide, road closures across Western Washington
-
Iowa6 days agoMatt Campbell reportedly bringing longtime Iowa State staffer to Penn State as 1st hire
-
Miami, FL6 days agoUrban Meyer, Brady Quinn get in heated exchange during Alabama, Notre Dame, Miami CFP discussion
-
Cleveland, OH6 days agoMan shot, killed at downtown Cleveland nightclub: EMS
-
World6 days ago
Chiefs’ offensive line woes deepen as Wanya Morris exits with knee injury against Texans
