Friday, 18 September 2009 00:28

Narcotics Agents Seize 1,111 Plants Near Pioneer

slide1-narcotics_agents_seize_1111_plants_near_pioneer.pngPioneer – The Amador County Combined Narcotics Enforcement Team (ACCNET) concluded a joint investigation Wednesday that led to a number of arrests and the seizure of 1,111 marijuana plants and 10.2 pounds of processed marijuana. The operation began after ACCNET received a report of suspicious activity from CHP officers investigating a possible stolen ATV in the Pioneer area. The ATV led to the discovery of irrigation and camping equipment. Upon further investigation, ACCNET personnel discovered a marijuana grow site on Bureau of Land Management land. They observed Gary Troung, 25, of San Leandro at the site. Through a joint operation with the Sacramento Drug Enforcement Administration and the US Bureau of Land Management, Federal Arrest warrants were issued and a search warrant was obtained for Gary Troung, Vi Troung, 29, of El Cerrito and for the grow site in Amador County. With the assistance of Amador and El Dorado County SWAT teams, DEA and BLM agents and an ICE helicopter, ACCNET secured the outdoor grow site. During the seizure they arrested Raymondo Ramos Pablo, 26, a Mexican National. 520 female marijuana plants and the stolen ATV were seized at the Pioneer grow site. Seized from Gary Troung’s residence was an indoor grow operation consisting of 44 cloned marijuana cuttings, $17,000 in cash, 2 ounces of marijuana bud, a Walter PPK pistol with 9mm ammunition, and Troung’s 2006 Ford F-150 used at the grow site in Pioneer. Seized from Vi Troung’s residence were 550 marijuana plants, 10 pounds of processed marijuana bud, 22 MDMA pills, 1.5 grams of cocaine and approximately $40,000 in cash. Gary and Vi Troung and Pablo were arrested on Federal charges and booked into the Sacramento County Jail. Immigration holds were placed on Vi Troung and Pablo. ACCNET is continuing to investigate this organization operating from the bay area. ACCNET is one of the 48 regional narcotic task forces that is operated by the Attorney General’s, Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. Story by Alex Lane, Staff Reports This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.