When we think of Chinese people we think of emerging wealth, industrious technology and unnecessary high-rises.

What doesn't necessarily come to mind is hardcore marijuana cultivation. But the L.A. County Sheriff's Department this week said three of four suspects in a weed-growing ring in the San Gabriel Valley are Chinese citizens. And all of the alleged cultivators are Red Door gangsters, cops say:

According to the department, a two-month investigation in Temple City culminated with warrant-based searches of four locations in the area this week.

They allege that 200 cannabis plants were seized at a home in the 4800 block of Glickman Avenue in Temple City.


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At a home in the 100 block of Arbor Court in Covina, police says they seized an AK-47-style assault rifle, an AR-15-type assault rifle, and a handgun.

Two other homes were searched but apparently turned up nothing.

The sheriff's department named the following as suspects:

Guan Yi Mei of Los Angeles (29), Ting Mo of Temple City (22), Zhen Wei Huang of Rowland Heights (29), Man Lai Chon of Valinda (31), Hai Qian Zhang of Los Angeles (24), Le Sheng Zou of Los Angeles (20), and Rueng Jian Chen of Duarte (28).

All of the above, sheriff's Asian Gang Team detectives say, are Red Door gangsters.

One more suspect was sought, deputies said, but they did not identify that person.

Those arrested and named were booked on suspicion of “illegal cultivation of marijuana” and held in lieu of $50,000 bail, according to the department.

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