18 Charged in Metro-Wide Pot Grow Bust

A Brooklyn Center-based marijuana grow operation bust resulted in the charging of 18 defendants in federal court.

A total of six different grow houses were located in residences were in Coon Rapids, Elk River, Lakeland, Ramsey, Savage and Shakopee. More than 3,300 marijuana plants were seized on the July 30 raids. More than $200,000 was found at the grow houses, as well as pounds of harvested pot.

In each residence, the power was stolen by tapping into the electrical panel before the meter.

Thirteen of the defendants made their first appearance in court Thursday.

Evidence of dismantled marijuana grow houses were discovered in Cottage Grove, St. Michael and St. Paul Park.

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.

In conducting surveillance, officers pulled over Phuong The Cong’s vehicle for a traffic stop and discovered 9.5 pounds of harvested marijuana in the trunk.

If convicted, the defendants each face a potential maximum penalty of life in prison. All sentences are determined by a federal district court judge.