Revere woman nabbed in connection with pot ring

REVERe-A Revere woman indicted for allegedly being the ringleader of a two-state, sophisticated marijuana distribution ring was arrested at Logan International Airport allegedly hopping a flight to Canada in December, federal authorities said on Friday.Van Thi “Michelle” Nguyen was described by authorities as being in charge of the ring that allegedly purchased 11 homes in New Hampshire solely for the purpose of growing marijuana. Nguyen and at least six others were busted when one of the houses, in Hookset, caught fire Oct. 14, 2006.After police found dozens of marijuana plants in the burned home, authorities traced the ring to the other homes and allegedly confiscated nearly 10,000 plants worth $24 million.The 11 homes were described as upscale and located in nine southern New Hampshire communities. Most cost between $300,000 and $400,000 and were bought with nearly 100 percent financing, according to the Union Leader of Manchester newspaper.Shortly after the house fire, authorities searched Nguyen’s Revere home and allegedly found drug ledgers, feeding and cultivating schedules for manufacturing marijuana and receipts for precursor chemicals and fertilizers. They also allegedly found copies of invoices from Allenstown Indoor Garden Supplies Inc. of Allenstown, Pa. for about $18,000 worth of indoor growing equipment.Quoc My Tran, 21, previously of 409 Park Ave., Revere and Tai Nguyen, 53, previously of 127 Augustus St., each pleaded guilty in November 2007 of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute over 100 marijuana plants.127 Augustus St. is the same address where Tai Nguyen, 21, was shot and killed March 16, 2007 as he sat in his living room. Anh Vu Nguyen, 21, of Dorchester, who is not related to Tai Nguyen, was acquitted of his murder in December.Authorities also charged Michelle Nguyen with wire fraud and providing mortgage companies with false identification.