400 Marijuana Plants Seized at Worcester Residence

Friday, June 17, 2016

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Worcester residents Richard Marko, 31, and Van Truong, 32, were arrested on Thursday after police seized 400 marijuana plants and two pounds of marijuana at the residence of 2 Westbrook Circle.

Van Truong was charged with two counts of assault with a dangerous weapon, resisting arrest, manufacturing a class D substance, possession of class D substance with intent to distribute, conspiracy to violate controlled substance laws and interfering with a police officer.

Richard Marko was charged with manufacturing a class D substance, possession of a class D substance with intent to distribute and conspiracy to violate controlled substance laws.

The Incident

On Thursday, June 16 members of the Worcester Police Vice Squad used a search warrant to investigate 2 Westbrook Circle. The targets were Marko and Van Truong.

Officers initiated an investigation after receiving complaints at a neighborhood watch meeting and through information received from the WPD text-a-tip line.

Thursday morning at approximately 9 a.m. members of the Worcester Police Vice Squad stopped Marko while traveling in a Mercedes in the area of Fenwick Street and Richmond Avenue.

Officers then preceded to the target location to execute the search warrant. Ms. Truong answered the door but would not allow the officers in the house by pushing the door against them.

Two officers were struck by the door. Officers were able to arrest Truong.

Searching the Residence

During a search, officers located an indoor marijuana growing operating in the basement. Members of the Vice Squad removed approximately 400 marijuana plants that were in various stages of growth.

The dwelling contained lights, fertilizer, fans, electrical transformers and numerous other instruments for a marijuana growing operation including packaging material and digital scales.

Officers also removed two pounds of marijuana.