Twenty-Seven Indicted as a Result of Massive Marijuana Plant Seizure

HOUSTON—A total of 27 people have beenindicted as a result of the seizure of nearly 14,000 marijuana plants duringenforcement actions conducted throughout the greater Houston area on August 21,2012, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today. On that date,search warrants were executed on 60 properties located throughout Harris, FortBend, and Montgomery Counties. A total of 40 of these properties were allegedlyactive hydroponic marijuana grow houses and contained marijuana plants in variousstages of the growth. At that time, 24 individuals were arrested and arecurrently now in custody.
The criminal indictment returned todaycharges the defendants with conspiring to possess with intent to distribute acontrolled substance involving more than 1000 marijuana plants and conspiracyof maintaining a place for the purpose of manufacturing, distributing, andusing controlled substances. The indictment also gives notice of forfeiture ofseveral vehicles, U.S. currency, and assorted hydroponic equipment from thestore front and warehouse.
Court records indicate that numeroushouses located throughout Montgomery, Harris, and Fort Bend Counties wereutilized to grow marijuana. The searches resulted in the seizure of at least100 and up to more than 850 marijuana plants in each of the 40 grow houses,totaling approximately 13,907 marijuana plants. Also seized during the courseof the enforcement action was the equipment allegedly used to grow themarijuana as well as additional equipment from a suspected hydroponic storefront and warehouse.
Prior to the August 21 enforcementactions, 14 additional grow houses had previously been searched in relation tothis organization, during which additional marijuana plants were seized. Thetotal number of plants seized during the course of the overall investigationtotaled approximately 19,000 plants.
The individuals arrested on August 21and indicted today include: Thu Loan Dinh, 35; Hong Nhut Dang, 41; Anh QuangNguyen, 52; Van Long Tran, 33; Tien Van Nguyen, 43; Minh Pham, 58; Truong QuangLam, 37; Gioi The Nguyen, 55; Quy Ngoc Nguyen, 39; and Khac Hung Dinh, 45, allof Houston; Long Nguyen, 32; Long Do, 32; Tam Nguyen, 52; and Thang Van Doan,35, of Conroe, Texas; Timmy Dang, 37; Huu Trong Vu, 23; Ida Nga Pham, 33; Vinh Cong Le, 27; Hung Huy Nguyen,48; Thiet Van Nguyen, 49; Trang Thi Kim Truong, 40; and Thi Ngo, 46, all ofSpring, Texas; Yen Thi Do, 42, Richmond, Texas; and Tai Tan Nguyen, 29, ofTomball, Texas.
Also indicted were Dinh Le, 47, who iscurrently in state custody, and Hein Le and Johnny Ng, 51, both of Houston, whoare fugitives.
A conviction for conspiracy to possesswith the intent to distribute carries as possible punishment a term of no lessthan 10 years and up to life in federal prison as well as a $10 million fine.If convicted of conspiracy to maintain a place of manufacturing, each defendantalso faces up to 20 years in prison and a maximum $500,000 fine.
The charges are the result of anOrganized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force investigation dubbed Green HouseEffect, which included federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies suchas the DEA; sheriff’s offices in Harris, Fort Bend, and Montgomery Counties;Texas Department of Public Safety; Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, andExplosives; FBI; Homeland Security Investigations; police departments inHouston; Katy, Pearland, Willis, Conroe, Huntsville, and Pasadena, TexasNational Guard Joint Counter Drug Unit; and Cypress Creek Emergency MedicalServices.
An indictment is a formal accusation ofcriminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unlessconvicted through due process of law.