Trong Cuong Nguyen sentenced for role in cannabis houses at Hunterview, Aberglasslyn
Two hydroponic homes uncovered in the Hunter were unrecognisable from their original floor plans, with walls moved, electricity rerouted and extensive heating and watering systems installed.
Police & Courts
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A man involved in commercial cannabis cultivation claimed he was “tricked” into working in extensively-modified homes where the drug was grown.
Trong Cuong Nguyen, 29, was on Friday sentenced in Newcastle District Court, having previously pleaded guilty to knowingly take part in cultivation of a commercial quantity of cannabis and knowingly take part in cultivation of a large commercial quantity of cannabis.
Nguyen, from Yagoona in western Sydney, was charged after his DNA and fingerprints were found in two hydroponic homes in the Hunter.
The court heard police uncovered the first home at Aberglasslyn in March 2018, after attending the address for an unrelated matter.
Officers noticed a mechanical humming sound coming from the home and returned two days later to search the property, where they found 321 cannabis plants and 22kg of loose leaves.
Eighteen months later police were tipped off to suspicious activity at a Hunterview property, where they observed Nguyen visiting at least once. A search of the home located 248 cannabis plants.
The court heard both homes had elaborate hydroponic set-ups, including watering systems, heat lamps, fans, timers, monitors and ventilation.
The homes had been extensively modified to allow for this.
“The entire residence was devoted to the cultivation of hydroponic plants,” Judge Catherine Traill said.
“The electricity to the house had been rerouted to avoid the metering system.
“The original layout of the house was nearly indistinguishable. Walls were erected behind windows to shield the contents of the house from outside view.”
Nguyen’s DNA and fingerprints were found on various items at both properties, including drink bottles and a face mask.
But Judge Traill acknowledged he did not pay rent or bills at the properties, and there were items in the homes belonging to other people.
“I am unable to determine precisely what the offender’s role was, however I accept that it was at the lower end of some hierarchy,” she said.
The Judge rejected Nguyen’s claim to a psychologist that he was only responsible for delivering groceries, cleaning and mowing at the homes.
Nguyen, who was born in Vietnam but came to Australia to study information technology in 2014, further told the psychologist he was “tricked” into working at the hydroponic houses.
“While the offender denied knowing the activity … he recalled sensing anti-social activity,” Judge Traill said.
“The offender claimed due to his financial stressors, he did not see the signs that he was involved in something he should not have been.”
Nguyen was sentenced to a 25-month community-based intensive correction order and 250 hours of community service.
He spent 14 months behind bars on remand.
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