Last 2 members of alleged illegal marijuana grow group sentenced

STANTON — The last two members of an alleged illegal marijuana grow group have been sentenced to greatly reduced charges.

All six co-defendants were arrested as part of a multi-jurisdictional police investigation this past March.

Detectives from the Central Michigan Enforcement Team (CMET) executed search warrants and arrested the six men at what police called “residential commercial marijuana grow locations” after a 10-month investigation. More than 3,000 marijuana plants, 150 pounds of finished marijuana, vehicles and grow equipment were seized.

Bin Bin Weng, 34, a U.S. citizen with a listed address in Stanton, was charged with 11 crimes, the most of the six defendants — conducting criminal enterprises; conspiracy to commit controlled substance delivery/manufacturing 45 kilos or more of marijuana or 200 or more plants; four counts of controlled substance delivery/manufacturing 45 kilos or more of marijuana or 200 or more plants; weapons felony firearms; and four counts of maintaining a drug house. He was held in jail on a $750,000 bond.

Weng pleaded guilty on June 2 to delivery/manufacturing 45 kilos and maintaining a drug house. The other nine charges against him were dismissed in exchange for his pleas.

Weng was sentenced on July 28 by Montcalm County Circuit Court Judge Suzanne Kreeger to one year in jail with credit for 140 days already served, leaving him with seven months and 10 days to serve. He also must serve three years of probation, wear a tether for at least 90 days, complete a cognitive behavior program and pay $1,376 in fines and costs. He also must forfeit all property seized — including real estate at 1262 E. Monroe St. in White Cloud, 426 Plum Road in Stanton and 4246 S. Stevenson Road in Sheridan.

Weng’s defense attorney was Elias Muawad.

Zhihui Chen, 23, a U.S. citizen, also pleaded guilty on July 28 to delivery/manufacturing 45 kilos. He was sentenced that same day by Kreeger to two years probation under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act (meaning the conviction will be erased from his record if he successfully completes probation) and 300 hours of community service. Chen’s case is now listed as non-public, meaning no further information is available. All other charges against him were dismissed.

Four co-defendants were all previously sentenced to greatly reduced charges as well.

Feng Chen of China pleaded guilty on May 19 to possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor, and was sentenced by Kreeger that same day to 71 days in jail with credit for 71 days already served. All other charges against him were dismissed. His defense attorney was Lori Shearer.

Fen Chen of China pleaded guilty on May 19 to possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor, and was sentenced by Kreeger that same day to 71 days in jail with credit for 71 days already served. All other charges against him were dismissed. His defense attorney was Travis Carr.

Yuliang Wu, 22, of China pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana, a misdemeanor, and was sentenced on April 27 to 49 days in jail with credit for 49 days already served. All other charges against him were dismissed. His defense attorney was Bruce Leach.

Hong Liang Lin, 34, of China, admitted responsibility on April 22 to a civil infraction — violating the Michigan Regulation and Taxation of Marijuana Act, which carries a penalty of $100. All other charges against him were dismissed.