On Wednesday, Sept. 16, the Amador County Combined Narcotics Enforcement Team raided an outdoor marijuana growing operation in Pioneer, leading to the arrest of the Troung brothers, and a Mexican national who was allegedly tending to the plants.

The raid was the culmination of a joint effort from ACCNET, the Drug Enforcement Administration and the United States Bureau of Land Management.

ACCNET was tipped off about the marijuana plantation by officers from the Amador unit of the California Highway Patrol, who'd observed suspicious activity while conducting an investigation into a stolen ATV on public land in Pioneer. Agents from the task force checked out the intelligence and observed irrigation equipment and camping equipment in the general area of the ATV.

Combing the land, the agents discovered the full scope of the plantation. They also observed 25-year-old Gary Troung of San Leandro at the site.

After conducting a more extensive search, ACCNET team members approached the Sacramento unit of the DEA and officials from the U.S. Bureau of Land Management about launching a joint investigation into the grow operation in Pioneer. Eventually, that investigation yielded federal arrest warrants and search warrants for Gary Troung and his 29-year-old brother, Vi Troung of El Cerrito. Both men were connected to the plantation in Amador County.

On Sept. 16, simultaneous warrants were executed at the marijuana plantation in Pioneer and the out-of-town residences of both Troung brothers.

With the assistance of both the Amador County and El Dorado County SWAT Teams, Sacramento DEA agents, BLM agents, and a helicopter, ACCNET agents secured the plantation and its camp. As the y raided the site, they captured 26-year-old Raymondo Ramos Pablo, a Mexican citizen without legal right to be in the United States. Pablo is alleged to have been working in the marijuana garden.

ACNETT agents destroyed 520 female marijuana plants. They also seized a 2006 ATV used in the growing operation.

Oakland and San Francisco DEA Agents, along with ACCNET team members and state law enforcement, served the federal arrest warrant on Gary Troung at his home in San Leandro. During the arrest, law enforcement discovered an indoor marijuana growing operation that consisted of 44 cloned marijuana cuttings, approximately $17,000 cash and two ounces of marijuana bud. Troung also had a Walther PPK pistol with 9mm ammunition and items of evidence linking him to the growing site in Amador, such as 2006 Ford, F-150 4X4 pickup truck. Troung's checking account contained $11,500 and was frozen pending seizure proceedings.

Oakland and San Francisco DEA agents also arrested Vi Troung at his residence in El Cerrito. Much like his brother, Vi was also employing an indoor marijuana growing operation - his consisting of 550 female marijuana plants and approximately 10 pounds of processed marijuana bud. Vi also was in possession of opiate pills and 1.5 grams of cocaine, worth $40,000.

The Troung brothers and Pablo have been arrested on federal charges of USC Title 21, Section 841, cultivation of marijuana and booked into the Sacramento County Jail pending arraignment in federal court. Immigration holds were placed on all three men. All asset forfeiture items are being conducted through the DEA. ACCNET is conducting further joint investigations into this organization operating out of the Bay Area.

ACCNET is one of the 48 regional narcotic task forces operated by the Attorney General's Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement. The Amador County Combined Narcotic Enforcement Team is a cooperative effort between the Bureau of Narcotic Enforcement, Amador County Sheriff's Office, Amador County District Attorney's Office, Amador County Probation Department, Amador County Child Protective Services, Jackson Police Department, Sutter Creek Police Department, Ione Police Department, Mule Creek State Prison, and the Amador Area Office of the California Highway Patrol.