GREENFIELD — The three Chinese nationals who were arrested after authorities found thousands of marijuana plants and roughly 109 pounds of processed cannabis during a raid in Ashfield last year have been arraigned in Franklin County Superior Court, where their cases were transferred due to their severity.
Ye Huanquan, 54, Hongxi Chen, 40, and Jing Hong Chen, 37, all of New York City, pleaded not guilty on Thursday and had their bail — set at $10,000 each — transferred from Greenfield District Court. This means they will remain free while their cases play out.
The court used a Mandarin interpreter, who translated remotely for the defendants through a smartphone provided by defense attorney Nora Leovich and held by the clerk in front of Judge Jeremy Bucci’s bench microphone. Leovich, representing Ye Huanquan, said the defendants “speak almost no English.”
Hongxi Chen is represented by Aliki Recklitis, while Jing Hong Chen’s defense attorney is Stephen Shea. The case is being prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Matthew Thomas and Aidan Lanciani.
The three defendants are charged with trafficking more than 100 pounds but less than 2,000 pounds of marijuana and possession of 12 or more marijuana plants. They are due back in court on July 23.
“During the search, investigators located approximately 2,380 marijuana plants in various stages of growth. The interior of the residence had been extensively modified to accommodate approximately 12 marijuana grow rooms, as well as drying and processing rooms,” State Trooper Daniel Madsen wrote in a police report last year. “All parties were advised of their Miranda rights and refused to answer any questions at this time.”
The 366 West Road residence — where the raid occurred — was condemned by the Ashfield health agent, according to a statement previously posted on the Ashfield Police Department’s Facebook page.
