Pubdate: Tue, 21 Mar 2006
Source: Abbotsford Times (CN BC)
Copyright: 2006 The Abbotsford Times
Contact:  http://www.abbotsfordtimes.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1009
Author: Christina Toth, Staff reporter
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Marijuana - Canada)

JUDGE JAILS MAN FOR GROW-OP

Vancouver beauty salon worker Ngoc Hieu Duong was sentenced to one
year in prison for having a marijuana growing operation in an
Abbotsford neighbourhood.

Duong, 31, was also ordered to repay B.C. Hydro $2,215.07 for theft of
electricity and Judge James O'C. Wingham also gave him a year of
probation and restricted him from possessing hydroponic growing
equipment - or other equipment - used in the indoor production of marijuana.

The trial held last year concluded Dec. 20, but the judge reserved his
decision until Jan. 13.

The judge concluded that a year's incarceration was appropriate as
Duong had a criminal record.

Duong was sentenced to eight months in custody for possession of a
scheduled substance for trafficking in Burnaby and had to pay
restitution of $6,500; and he also was sentenced to eight months for
mischief and trafficking, for charges arising in Richmond.

Abbotsford police charged Duong with the unlawful production of
cannabis, for having more than three kilograms of marijuana for the
purpose of trafficking and for theft of electricity from B.C. Hydro.

The charges came after Abbotsford police executed a search warrant on
April 13, 2004, shortly after B.C. Hydro had noted on March 23 of that
year a suspiciously high use of electricity at the accused
Abbotsford's home.

The police found 364 marijuana plants,150 marijuana clones, 26
high-intensity lights, a hydro bypass in various rooms through the
house, along with letters addressed to Duong, his identification, food
and clothing.

Duong was caught running away from the house.

Judge Wingham rejected defence counsel Neil Cobb's request for a
conditional sentence, concluding that the need for public safety and
"the need for denunciation and deterrence is so pressing that
incarceration will be the only suitable way in which to express
society's condemnation of the accused's conduct and to deter similar
conduct in the future." 
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