A Criminal Complaint Is An Accusation Of Criminal Conduct, Not Evidence.
HOUSTON - Seven area men and one woman are in custody on charges of conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute more than 1,000 marijuana plants, United States Attorney Kenneth Magidson announced today.
Dang Hai Nguyen, 47, Carry Le, 38, Hien The Nguyen, 26, Lam Thanh Ho, 43, Son Kim Le, 39, Tuan Anh Le, 24, and Tuan Nguyen, 44, all of Houston, and Minh Quang Nguyen, 46, of Katy, were arrested this morning during the execution of search warrants at eight residential properties in the greater Houston area. All are expected to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge George C. Hanks Jr. on Friday, May 3, 2013, at which time the United States is expected to request they remain in custody pending further criminal proceedings.
Six of the properties were allegedly active hydroponic grow houses that contained marijuana plants in various stages of growth. All eight properties are in Harris County. The searches resulted in the seizure of at least 180 and up to more than 450 marijuana plants in each of the six grow houses, totaling approximately 1754 plants.
A conviction for conspiracy to possess and possession with the intent to distribute marijuana plants carries a possible punishment of a minimum of 10 years and up to life in federal prison as well as a $10 million fine.
The charges are the result of an investigation conducted by the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Harris and Ft. Bend County Sheriffs’ Departments and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Assistant United States Attorney Michael Kusin is prosecuting the case.
Defendants are presumed innocent unless and until convicted through due process of law.
Source: U.S. Department of Justice, Office of the United States Attorneys
