Eight Chinese nationals are facing serious felony charges after law enforcement uncovered substantial indoor marijuana cultivation setups in south Georgia. According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Georgia, the defendants, if convicted, face a minimum of 10 years to a potential life sentence in prison, complemented by hefty fines that could soar as high as $10 million.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Georgia, Jill E. Steinberg, characterized the operation as a massive clandestine endeavor, indicating a sophisticated level of concealment and organization. Charged with Conspiracy and Possession with Intent to Distribute over 1,000 marijuana plants, the defendants are also staring down the possibility of at least five years of supervised release, once any prison time is served. A point of note, the federal system does away with the option for parole, rendering their sentences all the more consequential.
As noted in the official announcement, locations in Pierce and Brantley Counties housed the extensive growing facilities. The defendants in question span a range of ages, with Hiawen Huang being 54, Yim Hung Yuen at 61, Chen Hui Shu age 35, Jen Peng Ma coming in at 34, Zhu Sheng Bing who is 64, Wei Sheng Deng at 42, Lecai Huang at 67, and Zhi Yong Ma aged 52.
Several of the indicted individuals also face charges related to firearm possession in connection with drug trafficking offenses. Authorities believe two of the accused, Hiawen Huang and Yim Hung Yuen, have left the country. The others have appeared in U.S. Magistrate Court and are awaiting further proceedings. An indictment brings charges but does not imply guilt. The individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty.
The case came together through the work of the Pierce County Sheriff’s Office, with support from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and the Brantley County Sheriff’s Office. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Patricia G. Rhodes and Darron J. Hubbard are leading the prosecution.
