The accused ringleader and also two of the suspected cohorts involved in a large indoor marijuana growing operation who were arrested in February have been indicted. The suspects are facing lengthy prison sentences and large fines if they are convicted and were being held in county jail in lieu of bail ranging from $750k to $1 million dollars. In February police had initially been alerted to the marijuana when a patrol officer noticed the smell of burning marijuana coming from the chimney of a house in Monroe Township. The chance encounter in Monroe has lead to one of the largest drug busts in recent years.
Tuan Ahn Dang, 36, of the Port Monmouth section of Middletown; Ngoc Bui, 35, of Old Bridge; and Thu Nguyen, 45 of Monroe were named in the 23 count indictment. Tuang Ahn Dang was indicted and charged as the leader of the syndicate, and faces charges of being the leader of a drug syndicate, a charge which could carry a life sentence with parole eligibility after twenty five years. His charges include various possession, manufacturing and distribution charges as well as maintaining and operating a drug producing facility, money laundering, conspiracy, theft of services and criminal mischief.
A fourth suspect, Tin Phan, 42, of Sayreville, was also indicted and charged with fraudulently obtaining mortgage loans worth $370,000 to purchase a home used to grow marijuana. The operation used homes not only in Monroe in Middlesex County but also Ocean and Monmouth Counties.
According to New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow the indicted suspects were part of the largest indoor marijuana growing operation ever to be uncovered by New Jersey law enforcement. The investigation in total resulted in the seizure of 3,370 pot plants, 130 pounds of harvested marijuana, and $66,000 in cash. An array of marijuana growing material was also taken and several state and local law enforcement agencies were involved in the investigation.
SOURCE:
