Dineh Benally began his scheme to develop a large illegal hemp and marijuana cultivation operation in 2018 in his home community of Shiprock, New Mexico, according to court documents. By 2020, the operation had expanded to 30 farms covering more than 400 acres, complete with grow houses and living facilities for workers.
During the time his operation was active, marijuana was illegal in both New Mexico and on the Navajo Nation. That changed in 2021 when New Mexico legalized recreational marijuana, though it remains illegal on the Navajo Nation. In November 2020, authorities seized roughly 260,000 marijuana plants and 60,000 pounds of processed marijuana.
On Sept. 23, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in New Mexico announced that Benally, a businessman and political candidate, had pleaded guilty in federal court on 15 charges; he’s now scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 23.
Under the plea agreement, Benally faces a mandatory minimum of 15 years and up to life in prison, along with a drug-related fine of no more than $10 million or twice the financial gain he received, whichever is greater. He would also face an environmental fine ranging from $5,000 to $50,000 per day of violation. Upon his release, Benally will be subject to a supervised-release term of no less than five years and up to life.