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Tommy Nguyen’s attorney says the nail salon is the family’s only source of income.
KINGSTON – A nail salon owner awaiting trial on charges he was part of a drug ring that grew thousands of marijuana plants has been granted permission to reopen the shop.
U.S. District Judge Edwin M. Kosik on Thursday said Tommy Nguyen could reopen Tommy’s Nail Salon at 252 Wyoming Avenue and live in the apartment that is part of the building.
Nguyen, his wife, Xuan, and stepdaughter, Elisa Do, were among 12 people who were charged Nov. 2 in connection what federal authorities say is a large-scale marijuana growing operation.
Federal agents raided 10 homes in several counties over a several day period, confiscating roughly 3,500 marijuana plants.
Tommy Nguyen was initially held without bail, but he was later released on the condition he surrender his passport and agree to electronic monitoring. The initial order allowed Nguyen to return to a home he owns at 16 Maple Drive, Monroe County, which authorities say was one of homes where the plants were grown.
Nguyen’s attorney, Thomas Burke of Philadelphia, filed a motion seeking modification of those conditions, saying the nail salon was Nguyen’s only source of income to support his family.
Authorities have not yet released information on how the alleged marijuana growing ring was uncovered. The affidavit in support of the search warrants issued remained sealed as of Thursday evening.