Major drug detail closes down six marijuana operations

SACRAMENTO – Local and federal authorities closed down six indoor marijuana growing operations and arrested seven individuals from the Sacramento area during a two-day operation that ended Tuesday.

More than 4,300 marijuana plants, roughly $82,600 and one vehicle were also seized during one of two major details coordinated by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration and Elk Grove Police Department.

In November 2009, the Elk Grove police and the DEA’s Sacramento office identified a suspected marijuana cultivator, Tac Che, 50, of Sacramento. According to the affidavit in support of the criminal complaint, law enforcement learned of several residences tied to Che’s organization, with suspected indoor marijuana grows. Based on their investigation, officers believe power theft was occurring at many of the grow sites. Agents also identified Bob An, 52, Cuong Hoang, 54, Lien Truong, 49, Kenny Lu, 22, and Julia Saechao, 22, all of Sacramento, as being involved in the marijuana growing operations.

“The indoor cultivation of marijuana continues to pose a serious problem in the Sacramento region,” said Gordon Taylor, the DEA assistant special agent. “These people moved into our residential areas, set up illegal marijuana factories and endangered the lives of everyone in the neighborhood. DEA will continue to work with our partners in law enforcement in pursuing individuals who put our communities at risk.”

On April 20, federal search warrants were served at six Sacramento locations associated with the above individuals, including:

• 8208 Cliffe Way: 372 marijuana plants seized

• 1782 Highbridge Way: 807 marijuana plants seized

• 150 Stone Valley Circle: 993 marijuana plants seized; residence of Kenny Lu and Julia Saechao

• 8653 Prairiewoods Drive: residence of Tac Che

• 7901 Scottsdale Drive: 80 marijuana plants seized; residence of Cuong Hoang and Lien Truong

• 8211 Cliffe Way: residence of Bob An

Indoor marijuana grows were present at the residences on Stone Valley Circle, Highbridge Way, Cliffe Way and Scottsdale Drive. Agents confirmed that electricity was bypassed at the grow sites on Stone Valley Circle, Highbridge Way and Cliffe Way.

All seven suspects were charged with conspiracy to manufacture at least 1,000 marijuana plants, manufacturing marijuana, and knowingly maintaining a place for manufacturing marijuana. All defendants appeared in Sacramento federal court on April 21.