Cuong Van Tran, 31; Vinh Thi Nguyen, 51; Chien Van Tran, 29; and Canh Van Tran, 55; have been charged with production of cannabis, 50 to 200 plants, a Class 2 felony. Bond for the four offenders -- all of the 1700-block of William Drive in Romeoville -- has been set at $50,000.
Additionally, Nghia Tien Dinh, 39, and Hue D. Tuong, 38, both of the 1600-block of Rose Lane in Romeoville, have been charged with production of cannabis, 200-plus plants, a Class 1 felony. Bond for Dinh and Tuong has been set at $70,000.
The Cook County Sheriff's Police South Narcotics Unit developed information on the operation through weeks of surveillance and investigations into drug trafficking and production in the greater metro area, according to a news release from Cook County Sheriff Thomas J. Dart Wednesday. Officials said as a result of the information developed on the Romeoville group, investigators obtained a search warrant for both of their grow houses on December 20.
The South Narcotics Unit and Romeoville Police executed the search warrant, while surveillance units took all six offenders into custody.
Inside the home on the 1700-block of William Drive, police found approximately 18 cannabis plants behind concealed rooms in the basement. Officials said group had designed an advanced indoor grow operation with elaborate lighting, ventilation and irrigation systems.
At the second home, located on the 1600-block of Rose Lane, police found another cannabis grow operation that spanned the basement with approximately 225 plants. The house also had advanced cultivation equipment similar to the first home, indicating a wholesale distribution operation, officials said.
Police said they also found harvested marijuana in the basements of both houses. Charges are pending on this additional evidence.
The group appeared in bond court on Tuesday. Their next court date is January 11 in Will County.
