Two brothers, one who used a Fife gardening equipment business to further their illegal marijuana-growing operation, were sentenced Friday to federal prison.
Loc Dinh Nguyen, 43, of Renton received a five-year term after previously pleading guilty to manufacture of marijuana and possession of a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking. Luan Dinh Nguyen, 44, of Seattle received a three-year sentence after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana.
Judge Ronald Leighton sentenced both men in U.S. District Court in Tacoma.
The brothers also agreed to pay more than $164,000 in restitution to Puget Sound Energy for electricity they stole to run their grow houses, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Seattle. They grew pot in at least four houses in the King County area, prosecutors said, and law enforcement officers found 595 plants growing at Loc Nguyen’s home.
“We need to send a message to illegal growers and distributors of marijuana that there is a price to be paid,” Leighton said in handing down the sentences.
Federal prosecutors said Luan Nguyen ran Seapac Gardening Equipment and transported equipment and supplies from the business to grow houses in King County.
Adam Lynn, adam.lynn@thenewstribune.com
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.