Huge pot bust nets 16 arrests near Atlanta

GWINNETTE COUNTY POLICE DEPT.

Sixteen suspects arrested in a Georgia drug bus.

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Police have seized $35 million dollars worth of marijuana and arrested 16 people in three Atlanta-area counties, reports the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
Drug agents raided five grow houses Thursday (March 21) in Clayton, Gwinnett and Henry counties near Atlanta, Georgia.

11 Alive reports authorities found an average of 340 to 1,500 marijuana plants in each home. In addition, 22 firearms, from handguns to automatic rifles were seized.

Police said rooms were converted to growing and manufacturing marijuana, making the homes unlivable -- and neighbors probably didn't know what was going on just a few houses away.

“To those passing by, no one would have suspected that these five marijuana grow houses were harboring criminal activity,” Gwinnett County Police said to 11 Alive.

The drug bust is the result of a five month investigation, which is continuing and more arrests are expected, said Cpl. Michele Pihera. It was conducted in partnership with Federal agencies.

The alleged traffickers are linked “to a larger international organization serving not only Gwinnett County and the metro Atlanta area, but also the southeast United States,” Pihera said.

GWINNETT COUNTY POLICE DEPT.

Rooms in the suburban houses were converted to growing plots for marijuana.

Police released the identities of the 16 people who were arrested and the charges they face:

• Aiqiu Luo, 39, Norcross, possession, manufacture, distribution or sale of controlled substances or marijuana;

• Bui Men, 52, Dacula, possession, manufacture, distribution or sale of controlled substances or marijuana;

• Duy Nguyen, 26, Lilburn, possession of marijuana;

• Jia Zhao, 42, Duluth, two counts of possession of a Schedule I controlled substance, one count of possession of marijuana with intent to distribute and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony;

• Jin Huang, 45, Lilburn, trafficking of marijuana and attempt or conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act;

• Jun Huang, 42, Lilburn, two counts of possession of a Schedule II controlled substance, one count of possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance with the intent to distribute and one count of possession of a Schedule II, IV or V controlled substance with the intent to distribute;

• Linlin Teng, 30, Lawrenceville, attempt or conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act;

• Man Lam, 34, Duluth, possession of marijuana with intent to distribute;

• Michael Luong, 27, Tucker, possession of a Schedule I controlled substance and possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance with the intent to distribute;

• Phuong Tran, 54, Lawrenceville, trafficking in marijuana and attempt or conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act;

• Shy Yong, 37, Lilburn, possession of marijuana;

• Terry Liu, 32, Duluth, attempt or conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act;

• Tommy Luong, 31, Tucker, attempt or conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act;

• Tuyen Pham, 48, Snellville, attempt or conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act;

• Vuong Luu, 54, Jonesboro, attempt or conspiracy to violate the Georgia Controlled Substance Act;

• Xinde Li, 41, Lawrenceville, possession, manufacture, distribution or sale of controlled substances or marijuana.

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