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Arrest, confiscation includes $500,000 of marijuana
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CopyA two-month long investigation into the importation and distribution of high-grade marijuana from the western United States to the central Minnesota region concluded today with the arrest of Tu Van Tran, age 48, of Waite Park. Authorities siezed more than half a million dollars in marijuana from a storage unit in Sartell.
Over the previous two months, investigators of the Central Minnesota Drug and Gang Task Force worked on tips and information provided by the Montana Highway Patrol and other sources which identified a residence in Tri County Mobile Home Park of Waite Park involved in the wholesale distribution of marijuana.
Investigators gathered information which led to a search warrant at a storage facility in Sartell. They executed the search warrant on Dec. 15, where they seized 146 pounds of marijuana. Central Minnesota Drug and Gang Task Force officials report that high-grade marijuana buds such as were seized in this case, sell for between $3,800 and $4,000 per pound. A subsequent search warrant at a residence in the Tri County Mobile Home Park, in Waite Park, yielded more than $22,000 in cash along with an SKS assault rifle and a loaded semi-automatic handgun. The marijuana, which was individually packaged in one-pound vacuum-sealed bags, is believed to originate from Canada.
The investigation was conducted by the Central Minnesota Drug and Gang Task Force with the assistance of the Sartell, Sauk Rapids and Waite Park Police Departments.
Tu Van Tran was arrested at his place of employment and is currently held in the Stearns County Jail awaiting an initial appearance for first-degree controlled substance sales; which holds a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and/or up to a $1,000,000 fine.
Copyright 2009 Tri-County News, Kimball, Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from SmallTownPapers, Inc.
© 2010 Tri-County News Kimball, Minnesota. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.
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