Chi Thanh Vu, Hoang Van Vu sentenced for $7m Lockyer Valley cannabis farm

Two fathers faced an Ipswich court for a one-week involvement in running a sophisticated, $7 million cannabis farm raided by police in 2022.

Two fathers faced an Ipswich court for a one-week involvement in running a sophisticated, $7 million cannabis farm raided by police in 2022.

Chi Thanh Vu, 38, and Hoang Van Vu, 23, each pleaded guilty in Ipswich District Court on June 3 to one count of possessing dangerous drugs exceeding 500g and one count of producing dangerous drugs exceeding 500g.

The court heard the men were arrested at a Brightview property, along with three co-accused, on May 17 that year after police found cannabis plants in four greenhouses in Brightview.

“This was a highly organised and sophisticated cannabis crime operation,” Chief Judge Brian Devereaux said.

“In total, 4574 cannabis plants were certified.

“There was a broad estimate that the entire crop would be worth $6.8 million.’’

Five people were charged with drug offences after detectives seized cannabis plantations from two rural west of Ipswich.

“You received some money for benefit for your participation.”

But Judge Devereaux took into consideration that the pair spent only a brief time at the farm.

The court also heard that Chi Thanh Vu, from Victoria, had been running a business after he was released on bail

Five people have been charged with drug offences after detectives raided this cannabis plantation.

Hoang Van Vu, from Brightview, currently worked full time as a handyman in a caravan company, the court was told.

Chi Thanh Vu, left, Hoang Van Vu, right, outside Ipswich Courthouse. Picture: Grace Koo

Another co-accused, Quang Ba Le, who was 27 at the time of the police raid, was sentenced last year to two years’ jail, suspended after seven months, for possessing and producing drug exceeding 500g.

Huan Dinh Pham, then 46, was sentenced on the same charges to a two-year sentence, suspended after nine months in custody.

Judge Devereaux on Monday, June 3, sentenced both Hoang Van Vu and Chi Thanh Vu to 18 months’ jail, suspended after 52 days and 14 days respectively, reflecting the time each had served in custody.