Ten in Custody in Connection with Narcotics Trafficking
Conspiracy Involves 11 Gang Members of Asian Gang, Hop Sing

SACRAMENTO, Calif.—United States Attorney McGregor W. Scott, FBI Special Agent-in-Charge Drew Parenti, and local law enforcement officials from Sacramento and Elk Grove announced today the culmination of an extensive drug trafficking investigation dubbed, “Operation Smoking Dragon.” Earlier today, federal search warrants were executed at nine locations, and a criminal complaint and 11 arrest warrants were filed charging THAU BENH CAM, 29, of Elk Grove, Calif.; ARTHUR LO, 22, of Sacramento, Calif.; BANG TANG, 24, of Elk Grove, Calif.; QUINTILIAN “QUINCY” HUYNH, 20, of Elk Grove, Calif.; VINH VO, 20, of Sacramento, Calif.; CALVIN TRUONG, 18, of Sacramento, Calif.; TAN TO, 21, of Elk Grove, Calif.; VINCENT KAN, 26, of Oakland, Calif.; PETER TRUONG, 21, of Elk Grove, Calif.; REUTHA YUN, 20, of Sacramento, Calif.; and TIM TUYEN, 34, of Sacramento, Calif. with a conspiracy to distribute, and to possess with intent to distribute and to manufacture MDMA (otherwise known as ecstasy) and marijuana.

This case is the product of an extensive investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation Safe Streets Task Force, the Elk Grove Police Department, Sacramento Police Department, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Department, Sacramento County Probation Department, California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and the Yolo County Narcotics Enforcement Team (YONET).

Stated United States Attorney Scott, “Organized street gangs trafficking in drugs pose a great danger to the safety of our communities. They often will resort to brutal violence to protect their turf. Today’s operation should leave no question but that local, state, and federal agencies in the Sacramento region will work together to vigorously combat drug trafficking by street gangs.”

Special Agent-in-Charge Parenti said, “This investigation should serve yet again as a clear message that gang activity will not be tolerated in our city. The FBI and our partner agencies are as committed now as we've ever been to addressing the growing problem of violent street gangs in America and we will utilize every resource available to disrupt, dismantle and prosecute these violent offenders.”

“Today’s arrests are the result of a partnership between local and federal law enforcement agencies who have adopted a zero-tolerance policy for gang-related crime.” Sacramento County Sheriff John McGinness affirmed. “Let these arrests send the message that all law enforcement agencies are working as a team to target gang-related crime and dismantle the gang structure.”

“We are excited to be a member of the Safe Streets Task Force and applaud the efforts of all the agencies involved in this investigation for bringing it to a safe and successful conclusion,” declared Elk Grove Police Chief Bob Simmons.

According to Assistant United States Attorney Jill M. Thomas, who is prosecuting the case, the criminal complaint alleges that the conspiracy transpired between November 2007 and July 2008, and involved members of an Asian Gang called Hop Sing with ties to Denver, Colorado and San Francisco, Calif. The members distributed MDMA and marijuana throughout Sacramento and Elk Grove.

The maximum penalty for conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute MDMA is 20 years in prison, a fine of up to $1,000,000, or both. The maximum penalty for conspiracy to manufacture and distribute marijuana is 40 years in prison, a fine of up to $2,000,000, or both. However, the actual sentence will be determined at the discretion of the court after consideration of the Federal Sentencing Guidelines, which take into account a number of variables and any applicable statutory sentencing factors.

The charges are only allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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