SEATTLE — Eleven people were indicted for their parts in manufacturing, distributing, and profiting from the production and distribution of illegal marijuana across the country and in the Puget Sound region.
Some of the defendants were arrested on Oct. 21 in coordinated searches of 27 locations in the Puget Sound region and additional searches in New York. Many of the locations in Washington were illegal grow houses, and others were businesses that allegedly served as front companies.
U.S. Attorney Brian T. Moran said, “Members of the group turned homes in the Seattle area into illegal grow houses, damaging neighborhoods, and competing unfairly with honest buyers who are just trying to afford their first home.”
In the first indictment, Raymond Ng and Qifang Chen are charged with conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana. Ng operates Skyway General Contractors, and the couple is involved in the purchase of multiple properties that have been used as marijuana…
