[Sativa]

A major drug raid, which touched all three Siouxland states, led to the arrest of eight people... and the seizure of thousands of marijuana plants.

"I heard the explosion around 7 o'clock. When I run outside they kept hollerin' at me. I didn't know who it was at the time to get back in the house." A neighbor, who didn't want us to use his face or name, says he watched as dozens of state and federal agents executed a federal search warrant at 1222 Jennings in Sioux City.

Tuesday morning eight other locations throughout Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota were also raided simultaneously. That includes 536 East Deerfield Circle in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota. In South Sioux City, Nebraska, they searched 717 East 11th street. In Sioux City, they retrieved evidence from 1014 Court Street, 412 15th Street, 201 13th Street, 1710 West 6th street and 543 Forest View Avenue. There was one business in this mornings raid and that was at Ivy's EZ Stop. "They looked like a swat team, they had "sheriff" on the back," the neighbor said.

Drug enforcement agents were collecting U-Haul's full of evidence.
At 543 Forest View Avenue in Sioux City authorities confiscated blowers, sheet metal, and garbage sacks filled with marijuana plants.

In South Sioux City, Nebraska agents were taking inventory... they took organic compound which is used as soil for plants, light bulbs, and even more blowers.

But in Dakota Dunes, South Dakota not everything fit in boxes... federal agents seized four cars and three computers... not to mention arresting one suspect of the many in custody.

Those eight suspects made their initial appearance, in federal court, this afternoon. And, already, authorities have let one of them go. Qua Nguyen, who's wearing the white, green and blue shirt, was released.

Five others face charges of conspiracy to distribute marijuana. That includes...Bao Quoc Nguyen, who's in the orange jumpsuit... Tru Quoc Nguyen, in the white polo shirt... Va Thi Nguyen, wearing the purple pants... Khoi Van Ha, who's wearing the blue button down shirt... and Phong Duy Le, wearing the black pants and shirt. All are charged with conspiracy to distribute marijuana.

Though that complaint is sealed, defense attorney Bob Tiefenthaler says agents seized as many as 4,100 marijuana plants.

Charges are expected against two other suspects, as well. David Nguyen, who's in the blue t-shirt, and Teresa Nyugen, in the gray shirt with red lettering, were arrested late Tuesday afternoon... just before their initial appearance. While David Nyugen was arrested on a charge of conspiracy to distribute marijuana, Teresa Nyugen will face three charges including money laundering.

Assistant U-S Attorney Robert Knief said in court that money is related to the sale and trafficking of marijuana.

At the end of Tuesday's hearing, Judge Paul Zoss hadn't seen the complaint against David or Teresa Nguyen following their late afternoon arrest. If he signs their complaints, they'll stand beside the other 5 suspects at a detention hearing and a preliminary hearing, Friday morning at 8:00 a.m. At that time prosecutors have to prove to the court there is probable cause to support the complaint.



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Source: KTIV TV
Contact: KTIV TV :: Sioux City, IA
Copyright: 2007 KTIV TV
Website: Drug Raids Net Seven Suspects, Thousands Of Marijuana Plants