Three men arrested in southern New England marijuana growing operation that netted over 800 plants, cash, 40 pounds of processed product

Three men were arrested concerning a major marijuana growing operation in southern New England.

According to Captain Matthew Fague on Monday, members of the Glocester, Rhode Island Police arrested three men as a result of a several months-long investigation into an illegal large-scale marijuana growing operation in a residential area located on Blackinton Drive.

The arrests resulted in the seizure of 856 marijuana plants, approximately $4,000 and 40 pounds of processed marijuana packaged for distribution.

Members of the Glocester Police were assisted by the Federal Drug Enforcement Agency. Glocester Animal Control seized a domesticated animal from the address to be temporarily held and cared for.

The men arrested are identified as 32-year-old Yi Zhou, of Quincy, MA, 31-year-old Zhu Bin Bao, of Brooklyn, NY, and 32-year-old Xiao Xing Dong, of Bronx, NY.

The three men were held overnight at the police station and were presented in the 3rd District Court Tuesday for formal arraignment. All three were charged with Possession with Intent to Deliver Marijuana (Felony), Possession of Marijuana Greater Than 5 Kilograms (Felony), and Conspiracy (Felony). They were arraigned before Associate Judge Brian Goldman with bail set at $30,000 with surety and were ordered to surrender their pass ports.