Second Chinese national arrested in connection with illegal marijuana cultivation in Maine faces federal charges

A Chinese national who was arrested in March during a police raid on illegal marijuana grow sites is now facing charges in federal court.

[RELATED: Maine Sheriff Raids Three More Black Market Pot Houses, Seizes $39k, 900 Plants, and a Toyota — One “Brooklyn” Woman Arrested…]

Jiamin Liao, 29, who has addresses in Maine, California and New York, faces two charges alleging she maintained a property where marijuana was consumed. She was previously found to be the owner of two homes – one in Norridgewock and one in Madison – where marijuana was illegally grown.

Liao was arrested after a warrant was issued against her on May 15, and her case was released on Tuesday.

[RELATED: Triad Weed: How Chinese Marijuana Grows Took Over Rural Maine…]

If convicted, Liao faces forfeiture of nearly $40,000 in cash seized by the Somerset County Sheriff's Office upon her arrest, fines of up to $500,000 and up to 20 years in prison.

Liao was arrested in March during a raid by the Somerset Sheriff's Department on three illegal marijuana facilities, during which 900 cannabis plants were seized, as well as a 2022 Toyota SUV and drug paraphernalia.

She owned two of the three properties: 571 Thurston Hill Rd., Madison, ME, which she has owned since May 2022, and 114 Upper Main St., Norridgewock, ME, which she has owned since December.

Following her arrest in March, Liao was charged with cultivation of marijuana (Class B, over 500 marijuana plants) and trafficking in prescription drugs (Class A, over 20 pounds of marijuana).

[RELATED: Maine Gov. Janet Mills’ Brother Helped Transfer Nine-Acre Black Market Cannabis Grow to Chinese National “Mother” Living in Guangdong Province…]

She was given a $10,000 bail, which she paid before the new arrest warrant was issued on federal charges.

Liao is only the second person arrested in connection with the Chinese-run illegal marijuana cultivation operation in Maine and is now facing charges in federal court.

[RElATED: TRIAD WEED: First Chinese National Faces Federal Charges for Weed Operation in Maine…]

In April, 67-year-old Xisen Gou, a naturalized citizen of Chinese descent, was charged with federal drug law violations.

Guo was initially arrested at an illegal marijuana plantation at 549 Main Road, Passadumkeag, where he is said to be under house arrest.

When Maine Wire visited Guo's residence this month, he was not home and the house appeared deserted.