Duluth, March 21, 2019 — Gwinnett County Police announce a long-term criminal investigation has resulted in the dismantling of two drug trafficking organizations, the closure of multiple drug houses, confiscation of drugs, guns and cash and the arrest of 16 individuals. GCPD report that the members of the organizations had embedded themselves into the community.
The case is still active, but so far detectives have disabled five marijuana grow houses and executed 15 search warrants in Gwinnett, Henry, and Clayton counties.
“To those passing by, no one would have suspected that these five marijuana grow houses were harboring criminal activity. There was an average of 340-1,500 plants at each home,” GCPD public information officer Cpl. Michele Pihera said in a press release.
“The drug trafficking organizations utilized sophisticated equipment to manufacture high-grade marijuana. The largest grow house was an 8,500 square-foot home in Norcross. The detectives learned that the operation was tied to a larger international organization serving not only Gwinnett County and the metro-Atlanta area but also the southeast United States.”
Pihera said on Thursday, March 14, detectives assigned to the Narcotics Unit located and seized marijuana grow houses at the following locations:
748 Bartow Drive, Dacula
6015 Williams Road, Norcross
456 Hastings Way, Jonesboro
2202 South Ola Road, Locust Grove
1536 Pine Circle, Lawrenceville
In addition, suspects and/or evidence have been located at the following locations:
804 Austin Court, Lawrenceville
2757 Abilene Trail, Snellville
4672 Orange Jungle Way, Lilburn
3305 Paces Landing Drive, Lawrenceville
3118 Pittard Hill Point, Duluth
1949 Durwood Lane, Duluth
As of today, 3,174 marijuana plants have been recovered as well as a significant amount of additional evidence including THC candies, THC oil, cocaine, illegal mushrooms, 22 firearms, $676,517.00 cash, and 6 vehicles. The estimated street value of the marijuana and other drugs is about $35 million.
“The detectives assigned to the Narcotics Unit truly committed themselves to this criminal investigation,” said Major Cleo Atwater, commander of the Special Investigations Section. “Because of their hard work, a significant amount of drugs will be kept out of our neighborhoods and schools.”
“The work of the detectives, in this case, is a shining example of the dedication our officers have to serving the community,” said GCPD Chief Butch Ayers.
The Gwinnett County Police Department worked with several other local and federal agencies, including the Gwinnett County District Attorney’s Office, Gwinnett Metro Drug Task Force, FBI, and the DEA.
The following people have been charged in connection with this criminal investigation:
Aiqiu Luo—39, Norcross
16-13-30 (j) Possession, Possession, Manufacture, Distribution, or Sale of Controlled Substances or Marijuana
Bui Men—52, Dacula
16-13-30 (j) Possession, Possession, Manufacture, Distribution, or Sale of Controlled Substances or Marijuana
Duy Nguyen—26, Lilburn
16-13-30 VGCSA Possession of Marijuana
Jia Zhao—42, Duluth
16-13-30 (a) Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance
16-13-30 (a) Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance
16-13-30 (j) VGCSA Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute
16-11-106 Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Felony
Jin Huang—45, Lilburn
16-13-33 Attempt or Conspiracy to Violate Georgia Controlled Substance Act
16-13-31 VGCSA Trafficking in Marijuana
Jun Huang—42, Lilburn
16-13-30 (b) Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute with Intent to Distribute
16-13-30 (b) Possession of a Schedule III, IV, or V Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute with Intent to Distribute
16-13-30 (a) Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance
16-13-30 (a) Possession of a Schedule II Controlled Substance
Linlin Teng—30, Lawrenceville
16-13-33 Attempt or Conspiracy to Violate Georgia Controlled Substance Act
Man Lam—34, Duluth
16-13-30 (j) VGCSA Possession of Marijuana with Intent to Distribute
Michael Luong—27, Tucker
16-13-30 (a) Possession of a Schedule I Controlled Substance
16-13-30 (b) Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute with Intent to Distribute
Phuong Tran—54, Lawrenceville
16-13-33 Attempt or Conspiracy to Violate Georgia Controlled Substance Act
16-13-31 VGCSA Trafficking in Marijuana
Shy Yong—37, Lilburn
16-13-30 VGCSA Possession of Marijuana
Terry Liu—32, Duluth
16-13-33 Attempt or Conspiracy to Violate Georgia Controlled Substance Act
Tommy Luong—31, Tucker
16-13-30 (b) Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute with Intent to Distribute
16-13-30 (b) Possession of a Schedule I or II Controlled Substance with the Intent to Distribute with Intent to Distribute
16-11-131 Possession of Firearms by Convicted Felons and First Offender Probationers
16-13-30 VGCSA Possession of Marijuana
Tuyen Pham—48, Snellville
16-13-33 Attempt or Conspiracy to Violate Georgia Controlled Substance Act
Vuong Luu—54, Jonesboro
16-13-33 Attempt or Conspiracy to Violate Georgia Controlled Substance Act
Xinde Li—41, Lawrenceville
16-13-30 (j) Possession, Possession, Manufacture, Distribution, or Sale of Controlled Substances or Marijuana
