Two felonies filed against the owner of a major illegal marijuana grow operation who was charged following her arrest by agents in June of last year have been dismissed.
Sai Ying Lin, of Tryon, 48 at the time, was formally charged in Lincoln County District Court June 23, 2021. She faced felony counts of cultivation of a controlled substance and maintaining a place for keeping, selling a controlled substance.
During a scheduled preliminary hearing on Sep. 1, an assistant district attorney moved to dismiss both charges and the court’s order of dismissal was filed.
During a pre-preliminary hearing June 23, Special Judge Emily Mueller scheduled the preliminary hearing for 1:30 p.m. Sep. 1.
In April, Judge Mueller continued the woman’s hearing until June 23, a year from the time she was charged. According to the records, the judge stated, “There will be no further continuances.”
On March 10, Judge Mueller continued her pre-preliminary hearing until April 21. It was the fourth time the pre-preliminary hearing had been continued.
On July 29 last year, during her initial appearance, Special Judge Emily Mueller set a pre-preliminary hearing for Lin on Sep. 30. On that date, Judge Mueller continued the matter until 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 18.
On Nov. 18, Judge Mueller set the matter for 1:30 p.m. on Jan. 20, 2022.
On Jan. 19, the judge continued the cause until 1:30 p.m. March 10 due to COVID.
The judge has set a $30,000 bond for her. Count 1 against Lin accused her of growing marijuana without the proper permits on June 15, 2021, in Lincoln County.
That crime would have been punishable, if convicted, by a fine not to exceed $50,000 and imprisonment in the custody of the Department of Corrections for not more than 10 years.
Count 2 against Lin charged her with maintaining residential quarters and grow houses for the cultivation of marijuana on June 15 of this year. That crime carries a fine of not more than $10,000 and imprisonment for not more than five years.
At that time, then Pottawatomie and Lincoln County District Attorney Allan Grubb said at the time of the seizure of the operation and the arrest of Lin that his Special Operations team along with his District 23 Task Force conducted the investigation.
Grubb resigned from his position last month. He mentioned in June of 2021, too, the Sac and Fox, Citizen Potawatomi and Kickapoo Tribal police assisted.
“There were 81 grow houses, about 320 plants in each of them. I’m told the marijuana is worth $1,200 a pound, there are around three plants to a pound and we seized approximately 40,000 plants,” Grubb said.
Grubb estimated the total value of the plants at between $12 and $17 million. He noted the operation spanned over 10 acres.
Grubb said the site was located at 341559 Highway 105 which is two miles east of Tryon on SH 105.