Jul 2, 2009 11:12 pm US/Central
Massive Pot Bust In Twin Cities Suburbs, 18 Charged
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) ―
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In several locations, there was evidence of pot operations that were dismantled prior to arrival of authorities.
CBS
Eighteen people are facing charges Thursday in connection to a major indoor marijuana growing operation in Minnesota.
On June 30, search warrants for several Twin Cities locations help seize more than 3,300 marijuana plants worth more than $6 million. According to the police report, more than four times that amount could have been produced in an entire year.
Jennifer Panek went outside when she saw about a dozen officers move in on her neighbor's home in Ramsey.
"They never really came out. She did everyone once is a while to water the plants and mow the lawn," said Panek.
Officers carted out more than 600 plants from that home. Another 550 more were pulled from a home in Elk River.
Kim Seitz said her neighbor's lived in that Elk River home for at least four years and she knew something wasn't quite right for some time.
"We weren't surprised. The scent from over there was strong, it smelled skunky and they had weird hours," she said.
Those charged with one count of conspiracy to manufacture at least 1,000 marijuana plants are: Johnny Cuong Tran, 36, Brooklyn Center; Tuan Van Nguyen, 41, Maple Grove; Nhuan Van Nguyen, 58, Maple Grove; Kevin Dinh Phan, 43, Blaine; Tuan Ngoc Pham, 39, Savage; Kenny Thai Tran, 25, Brooklyn Center; Hoa Thai Tran, 22, Brooklyn Center; Dat Thai Tran, 27, Woodbury; Vinh Xuan Hoang, 32, Brooklyn Park; Phung Duc Hoang, 29, Brooklyn Park; Doai Long Hoang, 40, Savage; Minh Duong, 34, Brooklyn Park; Winston Nguyen, 32, Austin; Hao Thi Doan, 36, Austin; Annie Huyen Vu, 36, New Hope; Timothy Quang Tran, 41, Shakopee; Thai Van Ngo, 34, Savage; and Phuong The Cong, 28, Shakopee.
The Drug Enforcement Administration says buying homes in the nice neighborhoods is all part of the plan. Dealers want to do everything they can to blend in and in most cases they can't even live inside because of mold and spores.
Police found pot growing operations that included marijuana plants, watering equipment and grow lights in six locations including Coon Rapids, Elk River, Lake St. Croix Beach, Ramsey, Savage and Shakopee. In other locations, there was evidence of pot operations that were dismantled prior to arrival of authorities.
Authorities say they've been watching this group for about a year and a half. Police monitored electricity during the investigation. They say the growers were stealing it to run their operation, so the power company wouldn't get suspicious. A big pot grow like this could mean several thousand dollars a month in electric costs.
"Neighborhoods are safer now that this major marijuana grow operation has been dismantled" said Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek.
These 18 people could face life in prison if they're convicted.
Tipsters are urged to call their local law enforcement agency or the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office Tipline at 1-888-988-TIPS. Crime Stoppers of Minnesota accepts tips online or via text messaging, for information click here.
Tips that lead to an arrest or conviction may receive a cash reward of up to $1000.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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