TWO GROWING-OPERATION HOUSES FORFEITED

A convicted marijuana grower has lost two half-million-dollar homes
after a judge ordered them forfeited to the government as proceeds of
crime. In a recent decision, Judge Ellen Gordon ordered that Nam Van
Tran's properties at 16418 78A Ave. and 10668 141A St. -- valued at
$489,000 and $490,000 respectively -- should be turned over to the
federal government. She also sentenced Tran to eight months in
prison, in addition to the five months he has already served.

Surrey RCMP said Tran was first arrested after police raided two
growing operations in early 2004, finding a total of more than 900
marijuana plants.

Tran pleaded guilty to growing marijuana on July 4, 2005 and was
awaiting sentencing when, on July 13, Surrey RCMP raided another
growing operation run by Tran and found 848 plants. He was charged a
second time and once again pleaded guilty.

Tran sold one of the three homes used for growing marijuana, but
Surrey RCMP's proceeds-of-crime team went after the other two. On
Nov. 2, Gordon ordered those two properties turned over to the government.

Surrey RCMP spokesman Sgt. Roger Morrow said Tran's two properties
are the 13th and 14th Surrey houses forfeited to the government since
police started going after homes used for growing operations and
methamphetamine labs in 2002.