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Ngoc H. Bui, Tuan A. Dang and Thu N. Nguyen arrested with $1 million bail
Attorney General Paula Dow Wednesday announced the seizure of more than $10 million worth of marijuana and the arrest of two men and a woman involved in a high tech cultivation operation.
The announcement, at the Monroe Township Municipal Court building, marked the largest pot-growing bust in the state's history.
In total, 10 search warrants were executed over five days by numerous agencies in three counties. Along with a vast array of indoor cultivation equipment, 3,370 growing plants, 115 pounds of harvested marijuana and $65,000 cash was seized.
"While law enforcement in New Jersey has encountered high-tech indoor marijuana growing operations in the past, we have not seen anything to match the volume of production of this criminal enterprise," said Dow. "These defendants might be called tenant farmers in one sense, because of their use of rental properties, but they certainly were not struggling to pay the rent with their harvest. They were allegedly tending a crop worth $10 million."
"The Garden State is not a designation that we are willing to accept for the cultivation of marijuana. Interagency cooperation turned this discovery of a large indoor grow into a massive operation that dismantled a major marijuana grower in the midst of our quiet residential communities," said Major Matt Wilson Commanding Officer of the New Jersey State Police Intelligence Section.
"This investigation started at the local level. A Monroe Township Patrol Officer utilizing his training, initiative and street sense uncovered a multimillion dollar drug operation," said Chief John Kraivec of the Monroe Township Police Department.
"The ability to partner and share intelligence and resources in this investigation with, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies, speaks volumes for police in New Jersey. I am extremely proud of Monroe Police Officer Thomas Lucasiewicz and every officer, investigator, agent and trooper that participated in this investigation," Chief Kraivec added.
The investigation began on February 17th when Officer Thomas Lucasiewicz of the Monroe Township Police Department smelled the odor of burnt marijuana coming from the chimney of 558 Spotswood-Englishtown Road. Officer Lucasiewicz arrested Thu N. Nguyen, 44 when officers knocked on the door and were faced with overpowering evidence that Nguyen was burning unusable parts of pot plants in the home's fireplace. A search warrant was issued and MTPD asked the NJSP Marijuana Eradication Squad for assistance. In the basement of the home were three cultivation areas, with another grow area set up in the master bedroom. A total of 1,064 marijuana plants in various stages of growth were taken from these areas. In addition, the garage area contained about 50 pounds of packaged pot. Four thousand dollars in cash was also seized. The home was also equipped with a sophisticated surveillance system consisting of four cameras to monitor the exterior of the residence.
Nguyen, a Canadian citizen, was taken to Monroe Twp. where he was charged with maintaining a marijuana cultivation facility, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, and theft of services (for stealing electricity to power the extensive system of grow lights). He was later lodged in Middlesex County Jail in default of $1 million full cash bail.
The next day (2/18/10), additional search warrants were issued for three locations and one vehicle. A search of 38 Robbins Rd. Millstone Township uncovered sophisticated grow areas with 504 actively growing plants and approximately 50 pounds of harvested bulk marijuana. Tuan A. Dang, 35, of Port Monmouth and Ngoc H. Bui (female), 35 of 187 Hidden Ct. Old Bridge were both located and arrested at this house. Dang and Bui, naturalized U.S. citizens, were both charged with maintaining a marijuana cultivation facility, possession of CDS with intent to distribute, and theft of services (electricity). They were each lodged in Monmouth County Jail in default of $1 million full cash bail.
That same day, a search of 47 Westley Rd. Old Bridge Township turned up 640 plants with 15 pounds of packaged marijuana in a vehicle parked in the garage of that home.
Also on February 18th, the home at 187 Hidden Ct. in Old Bridge was searched and found to contain $60,000 in cash, packaging materials (vacuum bags), which was seized along with documents including growth notebooks and fertilization notes. This home is the residence of Ngoc Bui.
On February 19th, the investigation continued with a search of 535 Beach Ave. in Manahawkin (Stafford Twp.). Marijuana plants numbering 464 were seized, along with numerous lights and timers. Additionally, equipment used to divert electricity prior to the utility's meter was discovered.
Atlantic City Electric (southern New Jersey utility) responded to that location to render the altered electric service safe and to help investigate the theft of electricity. JCP&L was also brought in to help look into theft of electricity from other searched locations.
Also on February 19th, the home at 15 Stayman Ct. Manalapan was searched and found to contain another large marijuana cultivation operation with 698 plants and a quantity of grow equipment.
Other locations were searched and financial records were confiscated. Detectives believe that plants in this investigation were propagated by cloning them from other plants, using clippings rather than grown from seed.
— ANDY LAGOMARSINO, NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM
Marijuana cultivation is NOT a victimless crime, especially if you are doing it in a rental. Maybe it's just a rental to you, but that's someone's house. It's not fair for you to trash it with water, garbage, holes in the walls and mold generated from the humidity.
I never sold or did anything I thought could get me or my family in trouble - i actually was afraid to go out and buy it so i grew it ???
The police entered my home without a warrant and found a few plants growing for my mother -- i thought it was safer to grow than buy from the local dealer and drive in my car with it - especially since I have a child -- long story short -- thank goodness they didnt have a warrant and screwed up by trapping me in my home and busting into my home for no reason ?? - instead of 15 years in prison which is what I was facing - I now have 3 years probation - -- and this happened on the night my mother passed away ! - they took my mother to the funeral home and came back and arrested me ! -- but the saddest part !???? yes my mother died that day ! but they actually took my child away -- my child I cared for alone since he was a baby - over 6 years ! i still dont have him back and its been over 7 months now ! ! im fighting the ny system ! - it is so so sad ! I wish the political peeps and even the people who should be open about how they really feel would see the damage these laws are doing -- a young boy lost his father as I lost my mother and his grandmother -- all over a few natural plants -- MEDICINE ! -- sad - so sad ! i cry each night as I know my son does as well --- may things change and change fast - please ! i have such anger inside now for the system i once respected ????
and obama gave mex 700M since he was elected to solve the problems lol
in IRAG they showed us grave yards that could have been 100s of years old, nothing but eroded depressions in the fields. civilization started in the mid east, and millions are buried there.
does that excuse a invasion
forget the BS in the News. Goldking.
what dumb a-- would burn the scrap in the suburbs anyway?
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1j6PyI/www.greenoptions.com/blog/2007/05/10/green_myth_busting_hemp_is_marijuana
Joey, come on dude, don't put murder and other criminal actions in the same boat with marijuana. The people are very aware of these laws in this country, don't be naive. Did you know that tobacco was illegal at one point and people like you existed, pointing fingers and utilizing wrong information for the wrong reasons. Not only will the legalization of marijuana boost our economy but it will keep our children from jail for possession of miniscule amounts. One day, marijuana will be just as obtainable as tobacco, its unevitable but the only question is when. And just so we are clear, I do not hold marijauna on any level or tier close to real drugs...drugs that can kill you like cocaine or heroin. Weigh the pros and cons Joey, just like you might have done in school. Please don't work with your opinion, take FACTS and weigh the pros and cons of legalization.
DON"T HATE. PARTICIPATE.
Hippie, I hope you get past your addiction problem. Only you have the power to change your actions...oh and death of course, but who wants that?
I'll check out your site. I give you a 7 on a scale of 10 on your ability to sell me the site, not bad.
Jillian, the mexican cartels murdered those people, not because the government has refused legalization. Come one now, post is absolutely ridiculous. This article alone disproves your point, 10 million grow op found in the center of NJ...hello...we don't need the mexican cartels...for marijuana necessarily.
In my opinion, these three people arrested were supposed to, maybe now the government can understand the reality of marijuana and its presence in this country. I happen to be 20 minutes from all locations mentioned above, this grow operation lasted long enough for them to grow thousands of plants, most likely a couple of years. It existed in suburbia, for suburbia and thousands of other americans. Economically speaking, finding a 10 million dollar grow operation in the center of the most populated state in the country is proof of a demand. Any politician/parent/coworker says any different, he or she is full of shit. These three screwed up in two places, one was the power usage. They should have invested in generators or better yet solar energy. I'm sure the power company would have launched an investigation of its own very soon anyway.
The other and biggest mistake was neff burning leaves, period. Moreover, in this house. Come on, take lessons from the street, bury that shit. I don't feel as strongly about it as I normally would because I suspect the police officer of being involved. I hate dirty cops.