Feds Charge 18 in Local Drug Ring

18 people have been charged with conspiracy to smuggle and distribute marijuana and ecstasy and conspiring to launder money. Other were charged with various drug offenses. According to The Charlotte Observer’s coverage on the case, the drug bust was the result of a 10-month investigation by CMPD and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The indictment indicates the suspect organization is responsible for smuggling around 100,000 Ecstasy pills and 300 pounds of hydroponically grown marijuana since April of last year.

Court documents state that John “Tien” Nguyen, 40 (shown above) is said to have led the drug smuggling organization. Nine of the 18 people charged were arrested on Tuesday and two turned themselves in. I am unable to find any information on the 8 others who were charged. Federal prosecutors have said that the suspects are members of a Canadian organization that operated in and around Charlotte.

When I saw John Nguyen’s picture, I realized that I knew him! I have been going to T-Nails off and on since I moved to Charlotte. I live 5 minutes from the salon and I never even paid attention to the name of the place so I didn’t even make the connection until I saw John’s face. T-Nails is located off Independence Blvd near Village Lake Rd. It is in the same shopping center as Lebo’s, Tuesday Mornings, and K&W Cafeteria.

I don’t understand why the AP is reporting that the “proceeds from the distribution ring were allegedly laundered through a fake business front, the "T-Nail Salon" on Independence Boulevard.” I am puzzled because T-Nails is not a fake business and I know John is a manicurist there because he has done my nails! Out of the 30 or so times that I went there, I would say John was there about 50% of the times. He was friendly and joked around with the other girls who work there and everything seemed so normal there.

The people who were arrested on federal drug charges today are John Nguyen (shown above), Khauh Nguyen, Tam Nguyen, David Nguyen, Hoa Do, Khoa Nguyen, Linh Tran and Richard Srey. (Photos @ CharMeck Arrest Records)

The above defendants are charged with conspiracy- intent to distribute Ecstasy and marijuana and also conspiracy to commit money laundering. Maximum penalties for the conspiracy charges include up to 20 years in prison and fines of $500,000 to $1 million. The defendants are scheduled for Friday detention hearings in federal court.

(Special thanks to 'C' for providing additional info for this post)

Some of the others arrested on drug charges are Loan Nguyen, Hiep Nguyen and Vincent Lee. Charges are shown below.

Arrest#: 01274104
PID#: 216528
Name : NGUYEN, LOAN KIEUTHI

* C/S-SCH VI- POSSESS MARIJUANA
* DRUG PARAPHERNALIA - POSS OF








Arrest#: 01274105
PID#: 327321
Name : NGUYEN, HIEP TRONG

*C/S-SCH VI- POSSESS MARIJUANA
*DRUG PARAPHERNALIA - POSS OF
*C/S-SCH I- POSSESS PSILOCYBIN






Arrest#: 01274103
PID#: 171728
Name : LEE, VINCENT

*C/S-SCH VI- POSSESS MARIJUANA
*DRUG PARAPHERNALIA - POSS OF




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Sources:
WCNC
News 14 Carolina
The Charlotte Observer- 4/6
The Charlotte Observer- 4/5