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Police, agents find 340 pounds of marijuana, $355K in cash

Email|Link|Comments (11) March 4, 2009 05:29 PM

By Brian R. Ballou, Globe Staff

Following a two-month investigation, local and federal law enforcement officials raided homes in Quincy and Canton on Tuesday and seized more than 340 pounds of a highly potent form of marijuana, probably grown in high-tech greenhouses in Canada.

‘‘This particular cannabis is consistent with ‘B.C. bud,’ ’’ Norfolk District Attorney William R. Keating said today in a telephone interview. The initials stand for British Columbia, he said. ‘‘It utilizes the female plant, and it’s a hydroponic growth, grown in water in greenhouses where the light and temperature are closely regulated. This gives it between a 15 and 25 percent potency, compared to what was seen in the ’70s, about 2 percent.’’

Authorities made three arrests and also seized a total of $355,000 in cash from residences on Mullin Avenue in Quincy and York Street in Canton. The suspects were arraigned today.

Tuan Ngoc Pham, 49, of Quincy, pleaded not guilty in Quincy District Court, charged with marijuana trafficking and conspiracy to violate the Controlled Substances Act. He was ordered held on $50,000 cash bail. Jeffrey Falcone, 31, of Jamaica Plain, pleaded not guilty in the same court to possessing marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a Class D substance, and speeding. He was ordered held on $10,000 cash bail. Both men are due back at Quincy District Court on April 2.

Alexandros Kostopoulos, 29, of Abington, pleaded not guilty in Stoughton District Court to trafficking marijuana and distribution of a Class D substance. He was ordered held on $100,000 cash bail, and is due back in court March 31.

Keating declined to provide details about the case, but said other arrests may be pending.

‘‘The value on the street is well over a million dollars. Because it is so much more lucrative than ordinary marijuana, we’re seeing more and more of it, particularly in the Northeast,’’ he said. ‘‘It’s a gigantic billion-dollar operation, and we’re trying to control it. Beyond law enforcement, parents should be aware of what is going on, too.’’

Keating recalled only one other major marijuana bust in Norfolk County in recent years, involving a shipment that arrived in a trailer truck from Arizona. That seizure occurred in Plainville.

Tuesday’s seizures and arrests were made by State Police detectives assigned to Keating’s Drug Task Force, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, and police officers from Canton, Quincy, and the MBTA.

11 comments so far...

Once again state and federal authorities have succeeded in completely wasting even more money, sinking us even further into debt with the continuance of this pointless and endlessly counter productive drug war. It amazes me some people still think pot busts be they big or little do anything good for society. Puritanical nonsense...

Posted by Nick March 4, 09 07:00 PM

What was that address?

Posted by NoAirMan March 5, 09 01:10 AM

That's Great! Because 429 teenagers OD'ed on marijuana in Massachusetts last year. My bad it was Heroin that killed them! 0 people died last year from a marijuana in Mass. Go after the real drugs that are killing and messing up our children and young adults!

Posted by Bob March 5, 09 01:12 AM

Just making price and profit go up!

Posted by JohnDumas March 5, 09 06:01 AM

MAYBE THE GOVERMENT SHOULD JUMP IN AND GET THERE FEET
"WET" EVERYBODY'S CRYING ABOUT MONEY! LEGALIZE THIS HARMLESS
DRUG AND MAKE SOME MONEY AT THE SAME TIME! iNSTEAD OF CALLING
IT "B C" BUD THEY CAN CALL IT "D C" BUD THE ONLY PROBLEM I CAN
SEE IS THE PRICE BEING DOUBLED IF NOT TRIPLED!

Posted by PHILIP MAHONEY March 5, 09 08:28 AM

a billion dollar industry and they can't control it---- here's a no brainer-legalize it, regulate and tax it then everyone reaps from the billion dollar industry--then you can concentrate on heroin, meth coke pills the real problem today

Posted by mich March 5, 09 09:03 AM

awwwwwwwwwwe

Posted by fergie March 5, 09 09:20 AM

Who cares marijuana is decriminilized in mass any ways. What a waist of time and money. I think theres some violent criminals in quincy they should try to lock up. Also bc bud is known for its lack of quality and potency not the other way around, but its pretty standard for police departements to inflate their accomplishments.

Posted by Bud Kushman March 5, 09 10:12 AM

The fast foods, Shaws and Stop Shop just lost a ton of money this month. I guess we still have crack , O C and meth to deal with.

Posted by Justice4us March 5, 09 02:09 PM

You ungrateful people the police do something in your benefit and all you can do is complain

Posted by Ryan rod March 9, 09 09:32 PM

First of all, to comment number 8, BC Bud is considered way better quality then anything else on the street. The majority of Marajuana comes from Mexico which is brick packed nonsense. I believe the police did a great task of getting the drugs off the street and criminal who could have been deemed "violent" However, I think they should be focusing on alot more of the problems this country faces. The heroin and coccaine addiction among teens is growing everyday, This is a serious concern. Kids aren't dying from smoking pot, although it does cause as moderate issue with the body and mind. With it being legalized now its not as big as a deal as it would have been, but still a serious situation. but please spend our tax dollars on something more appropriot, I want to see the coke dealers and heroin dealer behind bars

Posted by James March 26, 09 01:47 AM