Police Arrest Six in $3 Million Marijuana Drug Trafficking Bust

The Portland Police Bureau has arrested six people and seized an estimate $3 million worth of pot plants and street drugs, as part of a major drug trafficking bust.  The Skanner News Video: The Government's Grow House
Arrested in the case were:

29-year-old Kung Mo Chin, who was charged with one count of Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana.

35-year-old Jin Yu Chen, who was charged with: Aggravated Theft 1, Delivery of Marijuana with Consideration, six counts of Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana, and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.

39-year-old Wen Han Chen, who was charged with: Laundering a Monetary Instrument and six counts of Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana.

40-year-old Shao Quan Ou, who was charged with: Three counts of Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana, Unlawful Delivery of Marijuana, Theft of Services >$1000, and Unlawful Possession of Marijuana.

42-year-old Zhong Dong Ou, who was charged with two counts of Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana, Unlawful Delivery of Marijuana with Consideration, Theft of Services worth less than $1000.

53-year-old Herman Man Shun Chan, who was charged with: one count of Unlawful Manufacture of Marijuana.



Evidence seized includes:

More than $74,000 in cash.

Around 2,400 marijuana plants with an estimated street value of nearly $2.5 million dollars.

Nearly 200 pounds of marijuana bud with an estimated value of nearly $600,000.

Marijuana growing equipment valuing more than $200,000



Police drugs and vice squad officers searched 13 homes and one business in the Portland metro area. The investigation began in early 2010 and focused on gathering evidence on a large scale marijuana manufacturing and distribution network. The investigation revealed that marijuana was being cultivated in several "grow houses" in the Portland metro area then being distributed throughout the region.

Many of these "grow houses" had been specially renovated to accommodate large-scale marijuana grows and many were not occupied by any residents.

Police say the drug dealers had no connection to medical marijuana and were operating as a strictly "for profit" business.

During the investigation, officers learned that in some of the grow houses, power was being diverted directly from the power poles into the houses to run the network of transformers, lights and filtration systems. This power diversion presents a clear and present danger to the neighborhood as a substantial fire hazard.

Police say the bureau receives numerous complaints about marijuana grow houses and associated strong odors, people coming and going and incidents of violence, most connected to home-invasion robberies targeted at stealing marijuana and cash from growers.

.All six suspects have been booked into the Multnomah County Jail.

Anyone with concerns about possible drug houses in their neighborhoods are encouraged to call the Drugs and Vice Division at (503) 823-3784