Courts / Dublin / Report
Jail for Vietnamese gardeners at €1.6m growhouse
Summary
Two Vietnamese men, Tham Nguyen (59) and Thang Chinh Hoang (58), were sentenced at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to two years and six months and two years and nine months in prison, respectively, for possessing and cultivating cannabis in a grow house with a theoretical value of €1.6 million. Gardaí discovered €60,000 of cannabis and 2,065 plants during a raid on a warehouse in Belcamp Lane, Coolock. The men, described as "gardeners" who tended the plants 24 hours a day, pleaded guilty on 24 January 2017. Judge Karen O'Connor noted their vulnerability, limited English and low intelligence, and accepted their early pleas and cooperation, which saved State resources. The sentences were back‑dated to the day of their arrest.
Who, what, where, when and why
What: Report matter: Jail for Vietnamese gardeners at €1.6m growhouse. Charges or matters: possessing and cultivating cannabis on January 24, 2017. Procedural stage: sentence
When:
- January 24, 2017 Incident
- December 2017 Other
- October 2017 Hearing Or Sentence
- January 24 Other
- 2018-10-18 Publication
Why: Passing sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today, Judge Karen O'Connor said it was a difficult case because of the vulnerability of both men whom she said had been "preyed upon" to take part in the operation. CNI source report
Case subjects
Accused
Charges: possessing and cultivating cannabis on January 24, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today, Judge Karen O'Connor said it was a difficult case because of the vulnerability of both men whom she said had been "preyed upon" to take part in the operation. She sentenced Hoang to two years and nine months in prison, and Nguyen to two years and six months, due to his significant health difficulties including cancer.
Co Accused
Charges: possessing and cultivating cannabis on January 24, 2017 (Admitted)
Plea: Guilty
Outcome: Passing sentence at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court today, Judge Karen O'Connor said it was a difficult case because of the vulnerability of both men whom she said had been "preyed upon" to take part in the operation. She sentenced Hoang to two years and nine months in prison, and Nguyen to two years and six months, due to his significant health difficulties including cancer.
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