LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — A federal grand jury has indicted six Las Vegas residents, all Chinese nationals, for their alleged roles in operating a large-scale, multi-million-dollar illegal marijuana grow operation that included a site near a public park.
Federal prosecutors announced the 10-count indictment today following an investigation by the Las Vegas Homeland Security Task Force, which includes the DEA, FBI, ATF, and local police.
EN ESPAÑOL: Seis personas acusadas en una redada en una casa de cultivo vinculada al crimen organizado chino en Las Vegas
Officials said the operation was backed by a sophisticated transnational criminal network.
“This operation demonstrates that what appear to be localized grow operations are frequently backed by global criminal enterprises engaged in labor exploitation, weapons offenses, and multi-million-dollar money laundering schemes,” said Sigal Chattah, First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada.
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Between January 2025 and February 2026, the defendants allegedly grew 1,000 or more marijuana plants across four grow houses in the Las Vegas valley.
One of the homes was located within 1,000 feet of a public park.
“Chinese Organized Crime was intent on cashing in, operating four illegal marijuana grow houses throughout the Las Vegas area,” said David Olesky, Special Agent in Charge of the DEA’s Los Angeles Field Division.
The defendants — identified as Changtian Mai, Hoi Man Mak (also known as Antares Mak), Shengsheng Feng, Zhifeng Mai, Jianwen Mai, and Jianquan Mai — are each charged with conspiracy to manufacture a controlled substance near a protected area, manufacturing near a protected area, and six counts of manufacturing a controlled substance.
Changtian Mai faces two additional counts of money laundering. All six defendants face a maximum penalty of life in prison if convicted.
Arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 1, 2026.
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