Massive illegal marijuana operation in Los Angeles worth hundreds of millions…

Massive Illegal Marijuana Operation in Los Angeles Worth Hundreds of Millions… Chinese American Suspects Face the Death Penalty in a Case That Claimed Five Lives

by Mehmet Emin Hazret

Last Friday, the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office shared striking details with the public about one of the largest illegal marijuana operations in the region’s history. In a multi-agency raid dubbed “Operation Sugar Apple,” over 27 tons of illegal marijuana products were seized.

The operation, involving more than 150 law enforcement officers, included searches at nine different locations across Los Angeles County — among them a large laboratory in La Verne. Authorities confiscated illegal marijuana products valued at over $100 million.

At the center of the case are two key suspects: Ted Chien and Han Quan Jiao. The two Chinese American individuals are accused of producing and distributing concentrated cannabis illegally — a process that, over recent years, has reportedly led to the deaths of five people.

District Attorney Nathan Hochman stated that in 2023, four workers were killed in an explosion at a warehouse in Irwindale, and another worker died last year in a similar incident at a facility in South El Monte.

District Attorney Hochman:

“This case is a clear example of the harm caused by illegal cannabis producers who recklessly prioritize profit over the safety of their workers and the community.”

Ted Chien is charged with five counts of murder, arson, and controlled substance manufacturing. If convicted, he faces either life imprisonment without the possibility of parole — or the death penalty.

Han Quan Jiao faces similar charges and could also be sentenced to life in prison.

Four additional individuals have also been charged in connection with the case: Xiaolong Deng, Chengyan Xu, Christopher Reyes, and Frank Herrera. All four are accused of conspiring to manufacture controlled substances. Xu faces an additional charge related to the production and distribution of controlled substances.

Authorities emphasized that such illegal facilities not only violate the law but also pose a serious threat to both workers and nearby communities.

This high-profile case in Los Angeles once again sheds light on the dark side of California’s legal cannabis industry. Those who violate the law now face the harshest penalties.