Round Lake couple denies running indoor pot farm

A Round Lake couple police said had more than 9 pounds of processed marijuana and 443 growing plants pleaded not guilty to drug charges Thursday in Lake County circuit court.

Vincent Nguyen, 46, and Anhthu Pham, 30, both face up to 15 years in prison if convicted of production of marijuana.

Lake County Assistant State's Attorney Marykay Foy said agents of the Lake County Metropolitan Enforcement Group served a search warrant on the couple's residence in the 300 block of Highplaines Road on Dec. 15.

Police found 443 marijuana plants of various heights growing in the basement, Foy said, and a little more than 9 pounds of marijuana on the first floor of the house.

Police said Nguyen told them he had been growing marijuana in the house for about two years and that he was harvesting between 10 and 11 pounds of the drug every two months.

Police also said Nguyen told them he had been selling the marijuana for $2,000 per pound.

Associate Judge Theodore Potkonjak scheduled a trial in the case for March 4, and ordered both to appear in court again Feb. 7.