A Chinese mainland immigrant who illegally crossed into the United States found himself in a nightmare after responding to a tempting Chinese advertisement promising $4,000 monthly income for “mowing grass” in a greenhouse to make a living.
According to a report by National Public Radio (NPR) on June 24th, a surprise discovery was made by law enforcement authorities in New Mexico after raiding an illegal marijuana farm – several mistreated Chinese workers were found on the premises.
The NPR investigation revealed that in recent years, marijuana farms operated by Chinese investors, managers, and workers have proliferated across the United States, but some of the Chinese involved have been subjected to deception, exploitation, and abuse by their compatriots. This indicates that the ugly phenomenon of self-harm and self-destruction present in mainland China under the rule of the Chinese Communist Party has extended to some Chinese communities and groups in the United States.
In August 2023, law enforcement authorities in New Mexico raided the Bliss Farm in Torrance County based on reports of worker conditions and operational violations.
Todd Stevens, director of the state’s marijuana control department, described the cultivation at the farm as “catastrophic.” Following the police intervention, dangerous signals began to emerge in various places, raising concerns.
During the inspection of the Bliss Farm, law enforcement agents found the cultivation of marijuana exceeding the state’s legal limit. Subsequent inspections uncovered a shocking situation – dozens of malnourished and mistreated Chinese workers within the marijuana farm.
These workers claimed they were trafficked to the farm, prevented from leaving, and never received any compensation.
After the raid on the farm, Lynn Sanchez, director of the nonprofit social service organization “The Life Link” in New Mexico, expressed shock at the condition of the workers, noting their physical injuries and malnutrition.
The state authorities revoked Bliss Farm’s permit and fined them $1 million for exceeding planting limits.
NPR’s investigation also found that marijuana cultivation businesses, primarily funded and managed by Chinese individuals, were staffed by Chinese employees. Despite the legalization of marijuana in states like New Mexico, some businesses still violated the law.
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Following the global economic crisis caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, many Chinese people migrated to South America and illegally crossed into the United States through Mexico. Upon arrival, many found job opportunities at the hundreds of marijuana farms emerging across the country.
At Bliss Farm, where individuals like L found themselves trapped, the conditions were deplorable. L, a 41-year-old from Hubei province, China, struggled to find work during the pandemic lockdown in China. Forced to relocate due to a land confiscation incident, he faced further challenges with the construction project he invested in being stalled.
After seeing videos on Douyin (TikTok in China) promoting high-paying jobs in the U.S., L contacted an agent who promised to help him come to America. Through a perilous journey from China to the U.S.-Mexico border, including travel through Latin America and dangerous territories like the Darien Gap rainforest, L finally arrived in the U.S. in May 2023.
Many other Chinese migrants similarly traversed these routes to reach the U.S., with border enforcement officials reporting a significant increase in illegal crossings by Chinese nationals.
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In Monterey Park, California, L and other newly arrived Chinese individuals were driven from California to Bliss Farm in New Mexico. Shocked by the sight of about 200 ransacked greenhouses, their belongings confiscated, and forced labor conditions, these workers felt trapped and exploited.
A worker from Shenyang, China, described the farmland as “just a large piece of land” despite promises of food and shelter. He worked grueling shifts under the management of individuals also from China, enduring poor living conditions and no payment.
After law enforcement shutdown Bliss Farm, these exploited Chinese workers, including L, applied for asylum in the U.S., their cases still pending.
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Marijuana has become a lucrative business in the U.S., with about half of the states legalizing its adult recreational use and two-thirds legalizing it for medical purposes. While federal law still prohibits marijuana, states have enacted rules to regulate its sale, generate tax revenue, and stimulate economic growth.
One such state, New Mexico, legalized recreational marijuana in 2021, leading to a rush of investment and cultivation activities. However, issues of exploitation and violations surfaced, particularly in farms overseen by Chinese operators.
ProPublica’s investigation revealed links between Chinese diplomats, organizations affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party, and organized Chinese crime syndicates with marijuana businesses in the U.S. Criminal activities included violence, drug trafficking, money laundering, fraud, and environmental destruction.
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The story unfolds with various Chinese individuals investing in marijuana operations in states like New Mexico and Oklahoma, led by both legitimate and criminal figures. Exploitation, human trafficking, maltreatment, and financial fraud plagued these ventures, leaving many Chinese immigrants in precarious situations.
Legal battles ensued between exploited workers and farm owners, revealing the dark underbelly of the booming marijuana industry in the U.S. The interconnected web of Chinese investors, workers, and organizers further complicates the landscape of the marijuana market.
Stories of failed investments, lost savings, and criminal activities underscore the harsh realities faced by Chinese immigrants seeking opportunities in the American marijuana industry. As legal battles and investigations continue, the outcomes for those involved in these ventures remain uncertain.