A Maine man has entered a guilty plea for his role in an illegal medical marijuana scheme, reports MaineBiz. The scheme involved money laundering and public corruption. Randal Cousineau, 69, of Farmington, grew upwards of 1,000 marijuana plants and sold more than 1,000 kilograms of marijuana between 2016 and July 2020, according to documents filed in U.S. District Court in Bangor.
He faces life in prison and a $10 million fine, U.S. Attorney Darcie N. McElwee said Wednesday.
McElwee described the conspiracy as an “end-run around Maine’s medical marijuana program.”
Court documents say Cousineau took part in the illegal conspiracy from 2016-2020, reports WABI.
He was the primary financier of an operation that violated Maine’s medical marijuana laws.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office says Cousineau made hundreds of thousands of dollars in profit.
Bulk Weed Sold To Non-Maine Non-Caregivers
According to McElwee’s office, Cousineau was the primary financier and 50% partner with a co-conspirator in an illegal marijuana cultivation facility in Farmington. He also held an interest in an illegal Cannabis distribution company.
Members of the conspiracy cultivated and sold Cannabis in violation of Maine’s medical marijuana laws. They sold bulk weed illicitly to individuals not registered as caregivers and for distribution outside of the state of Maine. Cousineau made “hundreds of thousands of dollars in profit from these illegal sales,” the U.S. Attorney’s office said.
A federal district court judge will determine the sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.
Twelve other defendants are also charged in a 14-count complaint.
U.S. Attorney McElwee praised the outstanding investigative work of the Drug Enforcement Administration; the FBI’s Boston Division; and the Boston Field Office of IRS Criminal Investigation. McElwee thanked local and state Maine law enforcement partners for their participation in the investigation.
The charges and allegations contained in the criminal complaint are merely accusations. The defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
