Seven Chinese nationals charged in multimillion-dollar marijuana trafficking operation

Seven Chinese nationals living in Massachusetts have been charged in connection with a multimillion-dollar drug-trafficking organization that allegedly grew and distributed marijuana across the U.S. Northeast.

“Today, we arrested members of an alleged Chinese-run drug trafficking organization who are accused of running a massive marijuana cultivation and distribution scheme that has raked in millions and contributed widely to the illegal drug trade here in the Northeast,” Ted E. Docks, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Boston Division, said in a statement.

A home in Braintree, Massachusetts, was reportedly the base of the drug-trafficking organization’s operations. During a search of the home in October of last year, law enforcement discovered more than $270,000 in cash on the property as well as several Chinese passports. Searches of additional houses resulted in law enforcement finding nearly $200,000 in cash, more than 240 pounds of marijuana and a Rolex watch, according to the DOJ.

Hongbin Wu and Yanrong Zhu were also reportedly stopped by law enforcement in June 2023 after leaving a Massachusetts grow house, at which point nearly $37,000 in cash was seized from them.

“It is further alleged that the enterprise conducted bulk cash transactions with operators located in the Eastern District of New York,” as noted in the announcement.

The case is part of the nationwide initiative Operation Take Back America, established by the U.S. DOJ to address illegal immigration and combat transnational criminal organizations.

The U.S. Department of Justice did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.