$22M In Marijuana Plants Seized In GA; 4 Chinese Nationals Charged

PIERCE COUNTY, GA — A food-processing facility was a cover-up for Pierce County's "largest marijuana growing facility," state officials said, with about 11,000 marijuana plants — worth about $22 million — seized.

Georgia Agriculture Commissioner Tyler Harper and Pierce County Sheriff Ramsey Bennett announced the news Tuesday at a news conference held at Harper's office in Atlanta.

Bennett said about four weeks ago, someone told an undercover detective that food was being grown and processed at the facility. Authorities then requested the help of Harper's office to investigate the facility.

After a search warrant was executed Friday, Bennett said 11,153 marijuana plants in stages ranging from seedlings to full harvest were located on the property.

Video footage released by the Department of Agriculture shows the plants in their various stages.

"This was the largest seizure ever in Pierce County, and I think a pretty large seizure anywhere in the state," Bennett said.

The facility had been operating since 2022, when the electricity was turned on, he said.

"This wasn't your average south Georgia countrymen with a few plants in the backyard or a few plants in the closet," Bennett said. "No, it far exceeds that."

Harper added hundreds of thousands of dollars were invested in what he called a sophisticated operation, and said it could have spread across the state border.

The four suspects arrested were Chinese nationals, one of whom was detained for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, he said, adding the remaining three suspects were legal immigrants.

Arrest reports show the suspects were identified as Chenhui Shu, Jinpeng Ma, Zhu Sheng Bing and Wei Sheng Deng. Reports show Deng is being held for ICE.

The quartet was charged on suspicion of felony marijuana manufacturing and felony possession of marijuana charges, he said. Bond has been denied for all suspects, and authorities said trafficking charges are pending "once the seized marijuana is dried and weighed."

Bennett said the suspects have ties stretching from Staten Island, New York to metro Houston, Texas.