The Shawn Ryan Show #243 Steve Robinson - What If China’s Secret Weapon Was Sold at Your Local Gas Station?
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Oct 9, 2025 
Steve Robinson, Editor-in-Chief of The Maine Wire and investigative journalist, dives into the alarming world of Chinese organized crime in the U.S. He reveals how illicit operations, particularly in the cannabis market, are tied to transnational crime syndicates. Robinson discusses the dangers of a new synthetic drug, 7-OH, its link to kratom, and how it infiltrates gas stations. He details the challenges local law enforcement face in combating these issues and advocates for stronger regulations to close loopholes that allow these crimes to thrive.
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Retail Staff Upsell Potent 7-OH Products
- Steve immediately found 7-OH products in local stores, including flavored tablets labeled with milligram doses.
- Store workers sometimes knowingly upsold higher doses and cross-promoted other products.
Go After Money, Realtors, And Lawyers
- Target the money: investigate mortgages, realtors, and lawyers who enabled property purchases.
- Use bank-fraud and money-laundering charges to reach higher-level organizers rather than only arresting on-site laborers.
Raided Grows Restarted Within Days
- After a sheriff's raid, a raided grow was back online within days with supply trucks restocking equipment.
- Permitting and minimal penalties let operators resume or legitimize operations quickly.
