Human Trafficking At Cannabis Farms: The Hidden Plight Of Immigrant Workers Abused In Oklahoma
In the sweltering heat of a cannabis farm in Blackwell, Oklahoma, Jiaai Zeng, a 57-year-old Chinese immigrant, found himself gasping for air, his health deteriorating rapidly after just one month of relentless work. Zeng’s death, shortly after starting to work on the farm, reveals a grim reality: the exploitation and abuse of thousands of Chinese immigrant laborers entrenched in the U.S.’s cannabis industry.
Oklahoma Cannabis Farms Exploiting Migrant Workers
Zeng’s sudden demise raises disturbing concerns about labor practices in the burgeoning U.S. cannabis sector, especially in Oklahoma, a state known for its lenient labor regulations. According to a detailed investigation done by ProPublica and The Frontier, numerous Chinese immigrants are exploited, subjected to severe abuse and often find themselves under the control of Chinese mafias.
On April 12, after enduring a grueling work schedule that pushed him to the brink, Zeng was rushed to the hospital, already unconscious and without a pulse. However, despite immediate medical intervention, he was declared dead within hours, the cause identified as pneumonia. His nephew, Westin Zeng, articulated the family’s suspicion and grief, noting the drastic change in his uncle’s health after just …