Black market illegal grow operations set to make billions for Chinese nationals [Video]

WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – Mexican cartels have been the top dog of black-market marijuana trade in the U.S., according to the Washington Post. But now, border patrol says Chinese nationals quietly built a billion-dollar operation with illegal grow houses.

Experts say they show up with suitcases full of cash, ready to buy farmland in marijuana-friendly states. In Maine, border patrol was alerted to 270 different properties that were growing enough marijuana plants to produce an average of $4 billion a year.

“We have this increasing level of black-market activity that’s interfering with the state’s legal market and you have a lot of money laundering that’s taking place,” said Executive Vice President of Smart Approaches to Marijuana Luke Niforatos.

Even though marijuana is legal in 24 states, banks still can’t accept business from the marijuana industry, which means it’s hard to keep track of the money coming in and out. That’s …