Baton Rouge Man Pleads Guilty to Possession with the Intent to Distribute Thirty Pounds of Marijuana

United States Attorney Brandon J. Fremin announced today that THANH TRAN, age 41, of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, pled guilty to one count of possession with the intent to distribute marijuana.  As a result of his conviction, TRAN faces a significant term of imprisonment, fine, and a period of supervised release.

In September 2017, Baton Rouge Police Department (“BRPD”) narcotics detectives received information that TRAN was involved in the distribution of controlled substances.  On September 14, 2017, BRPD narcotics detectives conducted surveillance of TRAN at an apartment complex in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  They observed TRAN place two large black trash bags in the back of his BMW SUV and then drive away.  When TRAN began driving his BMW SUV erratically, the BRPD officers conducted a traffic stop in the 11300 block of Archery Drive in Baton Rouge. 

TRAN told the BRPD officers that he had 15 lbs. of marijuana in his vehicle.  When the officers searched the BMW SUV, they found approximately 30 lbs. of suspected marijuana and about $10,000 cash in the vehicle.  The officers also found approximately $5,000 cash in TRAN’s pockets.

At the time of his arrest, TRAN was on supervised release from a previous federal conviction of conspiracy to distribute MDMA.

U.S. Attorney Fremin stated, “This conviction is yet another example of our office’s commitment to fighting the illegal drug trade and those who willingly violate our federal drug laws. I appreciate the hard work of the DEA and the Baton Rouge Police Department in their efforts along with our prosecutors who, together, worked diligently on this and many other important matters.”

This matter is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Louisiana, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the Baton Rouge Police Department.  The case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Brad Casey.