more on operation green thumb
A marijuana grow operation sting conducted by a special London police operation called Project Green Thumb led to the seizure of close to $2 million in marijuana plants from six residences, three of which contained grow operations, Thursday (March 12).
The warrants were executed by members of the London police Guns and Drugs Section, under the name of Project Green Thumb, a police initiative started in January of this year to identify illicit marijuana grow operations within the city.
During Thursday's bust, police arrested eight suspects after hitting homes at 1077 Homeview Crt., 795 Capulet Ln., 1451 Mickleborough Dr., plus residences on Basswood Place, Ripley Road and Southdale Road West.
Officers seized a total of 1,889 marijuana plants, valued at $1,889,000, police said, from residences at Homeview Court, Capulet Lane and Mickleborough Drive.
At the residences on Homeview Court, Southdale Road West and Capulet Lane combined, there was 512 grams of marijuana bud seized, valued at $4,120, police said.
Also seized during the sting operation was a total of $36,255 in cash, located at the addresses and inside three vehicles.
At one point during the police operation, the London Fire Department was called to the residence on Homeview Court after one of the "high intensity pressure bulbs sparked and burst into flames," police said.
Officers were able to exit the residence without injury, the fire was contained and no structural damage occurred to the residence.
Arrested at 1077 Homeview Crt:
Trang Phan (female), 23, Chau Minh Nguyen (male), 24,and Aaron Ali (male), 25, all of London and all are charged with unlawfully producing marijuana, possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, two counts of possession of marijuana and theft of hydro ($4,082). Ali is additionally charged with one count of possession of marijuana.
Arrested at Ripley Road and at 795 Capulet Ln.:
Thi B Dao (female), 32, of London, Hoa Nguyet Thang (female), 47, and Quang Thanh Dang (male), 52, both of Scarborough. These suspects have all been charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, unlawfully producing marijuana and theft of hydro ($2,721).
Arrested at 1451 Mickleborough Dr., and at Ripley Road:
Tri Minh Nguyen (male), 53, and Mai Thi Bui (female), 56, both of London and both are charged with possession of marijuana for the purpose of trafficking, unlawfully producing marijuana and theft of hydro ($18,46
.
Since the launch of Project Green Thumb in January, police said Controlled Drugs and Substances Act search warrants have been executed at 14 addresses all in the City of London. Police have laid charges against 19 people combining for a total of 49 Controlled Drugs and Substances Act charges, and 39 Criminal Code Charge. In addition, police have seized $3,409,603 in drugs, $127,375 in cash, seven vehicles and a stolen assault rifle.