Van Nhat Nguyen sentenced for role in $21 million cannabis operation
A welder who turned to cannabis farming after suffering Covid losses was busted tending to $21 million worth of crops in the Lockyer Valley last year.
Police & Courts
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A Lockyer Valley man involved in a mega cannabis farm bust last year will likely face deportation for his involvement, a court has heard.
Van Nhat Nguyen, 43, pleaded guilty in Ipswich District Court on December 8, 2022, to producing dangerous drugs (schedule 2, drug quantity of or exceeding schedule 3), and possessing anything used in the commission of a crime.
Crown prosecutor Matt LeGrand said police searched a Churchable property on October 14, 2021, and uncovered a “sophisticated growing operation” including 10,000 cannabis plants worth approximately $21 million.
Mr LeGrand said Nguyen was arrested for his role as a manual worker, and was not involved in the financial or business side of the operation.
The court heard Nguyen had been in custody on remand for 420 days and would likely be deported upon release.
Defence barrister Scott Neaves said his client had come to Australia as a welder in 2019, but his “work ran out” when COVID-19 struck.
He said Nguyen’s wife and children still lived in Vietnam, and he hadn’t seen them since he left.
Mr Neaves also noted Nguyen’s 18-year-old son “very sadly” passed away in Vietnam just days prior to the sentencing.
“He hopes to perhaps stay in Australia because he sees it as a way to earn money and support his family better,” he said.
The court heard two of his co-accused Hau Van Nguyen and Van Nam Nguyen were sentenced for their roles in the same operation on November 18, 2022, each to two years imprisonment, suspended after 400 days in custody.
Van Nhat Nguyen was ultimately sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended after 420 days in custody.
His presentence custody of 420 days was declared time-served, meaning he would be released that same day, and convictions were recorded.
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