Woman sentenced to 5 years in pot-growing ring where 2 were slain

A 37-year-old woman was sentenced to five years in prison and five years of supervised release today for her role in several indoor marijuana-growing operations in Seattle and Everett.

Thuy Thi Ngoc Nguyen, of Seattle, recruited other Vietnamese immigrants to tend and harvest the plants in several homes in the Seattle area, according to the U.S. attorney's office. Nguyen was arrested after authorities investigated a double slaying at one of the homes in Everett. Nguyen pleaded guilty to drug manufacturing in November.

Snohomish County prosecutors have charged two men with aggravated first-degree murder for the shooting deaths of Kevin Meas, 23, and his girlfriend, Linda Nguyen, 20, on July 2. Police found more than 2,000 plants inside the Everett home.

Areewa Saray, 20, and Saroeun Phai, 24, both of Tacoma, face a mandatory life prison term without parole if convicted of the slayings.

Jennifer Sullivan: 206-464-8294 or jensullivan@seattletimes.com