Michigan, India Marijuana Busts Highlight Global Trade

Michigan State Police raided an illegal marijuana grow operation in Baldwin, Lake County, seizing over 13,400 plants and hundreds of pounds of dried cannabis from a 17,000-square-foot former manufacturing facility, with a street value exceeding $10 million. Multiple individuals were arrested, and neither the property nor the suspects had valid licenses through Michigan's Cannabis Regulatory Agency. Police warned that cannabis from unlicensed grows may contain hazardous chemicals, pesticides, mold, and heavy metals, posing health risks. The case remains under investigation and will be submitted to the Michigan Attorney General for possible further charges. The bust illustrates ongoing challenges as illegal marijuana operations compete with Michigan's regulated market. In a related international case, authorities at Bhubaneswar airport in India seized Rs 10 crore worth of marijuana from a passenger arriving from Bangkok, highlighting the global nature of illicit cannabis trafficking.