DRUG SUSPECTS GAMBLED HEAVILY, PROSECTOR SAYS

Several of the suspects charged with running a marijuana-growing
enterprise in suburbs south of Milwaukee gambled nearly $2 million at
Potawatomi Casino in recent years, according to the federal prosecutor
in the case.

One suspect, Steven Dinh Nguyen, gambled $884,000 in the past 18
months, coming away with winnings of $78,000 in that time, Assistant
U.S. Attorney Mario Gonzales said.

Gonzales argued in court this week that such gambling is a reason to
keep Steven Nguyen and the other defendants locked up. He said a
$50,000 property bond won't be enough to guarantee the return of a
defendant who has gambled away hundreds of thousands.

"I think this is a strong indication that this organization had a lot
of cash," Gonzales said. "If they could blow that kind of money, it
shows it is a lucrative business."

U.S. Magistrate Judge Patricia Gorence turned back Gonzales' argument
and set a $65,000 property bond for Steven Nguyen this week. His
attorney, Martin Pruhs, said Friday that his client remains
incarcerated as paperwork verifying the property is gathered.

On the gambling issue, Pruhs didn't dispute the amount, but said the
government has provided no documentation. As for why his client should
be out, Pruhs said, "Because he is not a danger to the community and
not a risk of flight."

Steven Nguyen, 47, is charged along with Timothy V. Nguyen, 38;
Michelle L. Nguyen, 36; Thanh Van Nguyen, 52; and Thanh Van Nguyen,
50. The case against them is expected to be brought before a grand
jury soon, Gonzales said.

The five are charged with running the growing operation out of four
houses in suburbs south of Milwaukee. If convicted, each person faces
a minimum of five years in prison, up to a maximum of 40 years, plus a
$2 million fine.

One defendant has an electrical engineering degree from Marquette
University, giving him knowledge prosecutors say was used to tap into
the main power lines at the grow houses, bypassing electric meters
that would have shown suspiciously high usage.

Authorities raided the houses in Oak Creek, Franklin and Sturtevant
this month, seizing more than 2,000 plants, which Gonzales said were
worth between $2 million and $4 million. Also seized were guns,
vehicles, expensive jewelry and $20,000 in cash.

Law enforcement was tipped by a suspicious neighbor who saw large
pots, soil and grow lights being carried into an Oak Creek house where
no one appeared to be living.