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This file photo reminds residents of the federal raid on a marijuana grow facility operating in the former Holly Tex factory. Although grow was licensed, there were also illegal activities allegedly going on there.
On Monday, a Federal Grand Jury handed down an indictment for Zheng Fu Zheng, also known as Zhe Zheng, who was charged as part of the May bust at the marijuana grow operation, Cyco Flower, located inside the former Hollytex Carpet factory.
The indictment alleges Zheng conspired to possess and intended to distribute more than 1,000 pot plants, or drug conspiracy, beginning in early February 2021. He remains free on an unsecured bond, according to court documents.
He is also charged with illegally using the factory location to illegally grow, store and distribute marijuana, charged as maintaining a drug involved premise. The location was a licensed grow operation, but the charges stem from plants that were grown and product that was distributed outside the parameters of the license and under the disguise of legality.
If convicted, Zheng could forfeit to the U.S. government property used or intended for use in breaking the law. That includes the factory location, more than $100,000 in cash, a Mercedes and a forklift.
It is unclear whether the property, owned by Watonga Industrial LLC, can or will be seized as part of the forfeiture. The media spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney for the Western District Court was unable to comment on an ongoing court case. The factory closed as a mill in 2000.
The penalty for the conspiracy charge is not less than 10 years in prison and up to life imprisonment; and a fine of up to $10 million. The drug premises charge include penalties of not more than 20 years imprisonment and up to $500,000 fine.
The indictment did not indicate when the defendant will face trial or where that trial will be held.
In May, records from the Blaine County Assessor’s Office showed Cyco Flower as owned by Yung Shane and the contact as Adrian Lopez.