'Sophisticated' Marijuana Growing Operation Found in Eagan Residences

Two Eagan homes were set up to hold a large marijuana growing operation, according to a recent Dakota County complaint. Three men have been charged in connection to the case.

Quang Khai Thai, 42, was charged with felony third-degree controlled substance crime. Hoang Vu Le, 45, and Huy Vu Le, 39 were charged with third-degree attempted controlled substance crime and fifth-degree controlled substance crime, Sun Thisweek reported. All three resided in Eagan.

According to the complaint:

The Airport Police Narcotic Unit contacted the Dakota County Drug Task Force after receiving a suspicious package destined for a nail salon in Eagan. Inside the package, the task force discovered 30 starter marijuana plants 3 to 4 inches in length.

A task force agent delivered the package to the nail salon, which Thai owns, and observed Thai inspect the package and make two phone calls. Thai then left the salon and handed the package to a man in a vehicle, according to the complaint. The man in the vehicle next arrived at an Eagan home Thai had previously reported to police as his residence.

Agents also saw the man in the vehicle buy four "long florescent-style lights" that they said are often used in the growth marijuana plants. 

Records indicated that Huy Vu Le owned the home to which the marijuana plants eventually ended up. 

Task force agents forcibly entered the home on Sept. 26 and found three rooms dedicated to a "sophisticated" marijuana growing operation, the complaint states. Agents found young marijuana and mature marijuana plants. They seized a total of 388 plants and also seized equipment used to grow marijuana.

In the complaint, the house is described as having an "elaborate" watering system and venting system, as well as electrical modifications to help supply the power needs for growing marijuana.

Agents found a second marijuana growing operation at Thai's Eagan home, which had also been designed for growing marijuana, they said. The lower level of the house had been divided into four rooms for the operation, and agents seized 583 plants from the house. They also seized equipment for growing marijuana.

Altogether, the agents seized 971 plants from the homes. Sgt. Dan Bianconi from the Dakota County Drug Task Force told the St. Paul Pioneer Press that the plants "appear to be high-quality." The investigation into what may have been a one-year marijuana growing operation is ongoing, the paper reported. 

The three men have been released from custody.

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