Crime & Safety

Bradenton Man Sentenced in $5 Million Marijuana Operation

Authorities said they confiscated over 3,000 pot plants worth an estimated $5 million from five separate grow houses located throughout Manatee County.

A 39-year-old man could face up to 40 years in federal prison after he was found guilty in a federal jury trial on Monday of managing several marijuana grow houses throughout Manatee County, according to the U.S. State Attorney’s Office in Tampa.

According to testimony presented during the case, Do Nguyen, of Bradenton, operated the grow houses out of Bradenton, Parrish and Duette and employed three workers at the houses. Nguyen also allegedly paid a relative, Minh Tran, to work as a driver for UPS, delivering packages of marijuana from California.

Tran pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute 100 kilograms or more of marijuana in May 2013. His sentencing is scheduled for September 23, 2013.

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Nguyen was indicted on November 6, 2012. Between March and October of 2011, law enforcement officers from the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office, Bradenton Police Department and the Drug Enforcement Administration, conducted a series of searches at the homes and recovered over 3,000 plants worth an estimated $5 million.

Nguyen’s sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date, according to the report. 

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