$200K sought in drug cash.

• Position: LOCAL NEWS

Byline: Scott J. Croteau

WORCESTER - Authorities are moving to take possession of $200,000 in cash seized in a Burton Street apartment after a drug bust in May.

Paperwork filed in Central District Court by Assistant District Attorney Paul Bolton in connection with the drug case against Huy Q. Nguyen and Giang H. Tran shows the state is turning over the seized cash to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

The motion to turn over the money, which was allowed by a judge, says the DEA will start federal forfeiture proceedings.

"Due to federal interest in the case, the district attorney for the Middle District and federal authorities have agreed that a federal forfeiture proceeding would be appropriate and that the district attorney will decline to pursue a state forfeiture proceeding," the motion reads.

Mr. Nguyen and Mr. Tran both have the same rights they would under state forfeiture proceedings to contest the federal proceedings.

Both Mr. Nguyen, 34, and Mr. Tran, 26, of 12 Burton St., Apt. 1, are facing charges in Central District Court of marijuana trafficking, distribution of Ecstasy, a drug violation near a school or park, and conspiracy to violate drug laws. They were arrested in May while allegedly receiving a delivery of over 50 pounds of marijuana.

Both men posted $5,000 bail after they were arraigned in court in May. They both return to court July 15.

Search warrant affidavits on file in court for the Burton Street apartment and bank accounts for the two men arrested in the case detailed the arrest in May. Investigators said they found $203,000 in the Burton Street building's basement.

According to search warrant affidavits by state police narcotics investigator Trooper Nicholas E. Nason, another trooper stopped a black Chevrolet Malibu with a New York registration on Interstate 290 about 12:30 p.m. May 7. The car was speeding, changing lanes illegally, and following too close, according to court records.

Two men, ages 35 and 33, were inside the car. Trooper Dana Oliver smelled marijuana inside the vehicle. Criminal charges have not been filed against the two men inside the car.

Authorities who searched the car allegedly found two duffle bags with more than 50...