Judge: Medford Pot Smuggler Must Forfeit $900k

A Medford man has been ordered to forfeit nearly a million dollars as part of his plea agreement in a large scale marijuana smuggling conspiracy, according to court records.

Huy Hoang Nguyen -- known to his accomplices as "Boston" -- struck a plea agreement with federal prosecutors in western New York in July, pleading guilty to a count of conspiracy to possess at least 100 kilograms of marijuana.

While he's expected to receive a 5 or 6-year sentence, he's going to also pay a hefty cash penalty, according to court records. Federal Judge William M. Skretny issued an order Aug. 23, calling for Nguyen for forfeit $900,000 in a money judgement as part of the plea agreement.

Nguyen, 40, was indicted in January after allegedly arranging to receive two 300-pound shipments of marijuana in 2010, according to one federal affidavit.

On two occasions, Nguyen arranged to have a tractor trailer loaded with 300 pounds of marijuana in a secret compartment travel across the border in Lewiston, NY -- just north of Niagara Falls --and eventually to Medford, the affidavit said.

The marijuana was stowed in vaccum-packed bags hidden in a false floor that spanned the entire trailer, the affidavit said. The trucks were registered to Parminder Sindhu, a Canadian man who also faces charges.

The case against Nguyen began in May 2011, when two individuals involved in the conspiracy were arrested and agreed to cooperate with authorities in building a case against Nguyen, according to the affidavit.

Nguyen is expected to be sentenced Oct. 26, according to a court docket.

Read more:

• Medford Man Pleads Guilty to Role in Pot Smuggling Ring
• How Smugglers Allegedly Brought 600 Pounds of Marijuana from Canada to Medford