Pot probe hits restaurateur
Family members arrested; Tang denies connection
By Brian Maass , CBS 4 News
Published March 7, 2008 at 12:30 a.m.
Updated March 7, 2008 at 12:34 p.m.
Photo by Barry Gutierrez / The Rocky/2004
In a photo taken in 2004, Dan Tang, owner of the Heaven Dragon restaurant in Thornton, holds a framed picture of him and President Bush. Tang has served the president as well other prominent politicians over the years.
A federal investigation into what drug agents call a "large-scale Asian marijuana organization" is focusing on a well-known Chinese restaurant owner who has fed President Bush, senators, governors and mayors.
Dan Tang, owner of Heaven Dragon restaurant in Thornton, confirmed to CBS 4 News reporter Brian Maass that federal officials are "investigating me." But he denied involvement in the pot-growing operation.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Wayne Campbell also confirmed the probe of Tang.
"I am investigating him for money laundering," Campbell said. At this point, Tang is "merely a suspect," he added.
Tang's lawyers, Michael Axt and Gene Ciancio, emphasized that Tang has not been charged, but declined further comment.
Drug Enforcement Administration agents arrested seven Asian men last month, including Tang's brother, Yue De Deng, one of Tang's cousins and two of his brothers-in-law, according to documents. All were charged with cultivating marijuana.
Acting on a tip from an informant, agents tapped their cell phones and had them under surveillance for five months. A government affidavit says the ring purchased numerous single-family homes in Thornton, Broomfield, Commerce City and Firestone "in order to grow, harvest and care for marijuana plants."
A search warrant obtained by CBS 4 says an informant told authorities that "Dan Tang is the leader of this marijuana organization and provides financial assistance to members to purchase homes. In return for his investment, Dan Tang receives 30 percent of all profits from the marijuana grow houses that he sponsors."
It continues: "The Dan Tang organization launders drug proceeds through several member- owned restaurants located in the Denver metropolitan area and transports bulk currency from the United States to China."
Drug agents armed with search warrants descended on the homes in mid-February, arresting the men. They seized anywhere from hundreds to thousands of marijuana plants from the basement of each of nine homes, according to documents.
At 13062 Spruce Place in Thornton, agents say they found 1,261 marijuana plants. At 13006 E. 106th Place in Commerce City, agents discovered 1,547 pot plants. At another home in Thornton, agents say they seized 2,054 marijuana plants, along with 52 grow lights.
"Tang will often have elderly couples and females living in the grow houses for the appearance of the houses being occupied," the affidavit said. "Tang and his associates prefer to purchase new houses with few neighbors to reduce the detection of suspicious activity."
Asked why federal authorities connected him to the operation, Tang said "I don't know."
He said he knew nothing about the marijuana cultivation, despite the alleged involvment of his brother, three members of his extended family and the account of a confidential informant.
Tang's restaurant at 3730 E. 120th Ave. in Thornton is lined with pictures of him with powerful politicians. One shows him with President Bush, a fan of his crispy duck, which Tang has delivered for Air Force One meals.
Tang also displays a letter from the president lauding him.
Nearby, there are pictures of Tang with Vice President Dick Cheney, former Gov. Bill Owens and U.S. Rep. Mark Udall, of Eldorado Springs.
Tang is a native of China who left the country in 1980 with just a few dollars in his pocket. He has been hailed as an embodiment of the classic American dream, arriving in Colorado, working hard and eventually owning his own restaurant.
Tang isn't the only owner of a Chinese restaurant connected to the federal investigation. According to documents, Tran Van, owner of China Garden Restaurant, 2581 W. 120th Ave., Westminster, sold marijuana out of his restaurant, which is now closed.
Van is one of the seven men arrested by federal authorities.
Contact Brian Maass at bmaass@cbs.com
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March 7, 2008
4:38 a.m.
Suggest removal
kevin3 writes:
For God's sake leave the man alone, he is an asset to his community. His food is above average, which is hard to find with Chinese restaurants. His pot is probably better than anything around also (if that is what he deals in). He served Bush, I feel for him.
March 7, 2008
5:14 a.m.
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vudumom writes:
Are you kidding me? This guy's food is the worst Chinese food I've ever had!Back East has the best chinese food.Nothing I've tasted out here has come close.This restaurant is the worst my husband and I have found.We have found some passable Chinese food out here but not much.Does anyone know a place where they actually know what a real eggroll is?
March 7, 2008
6:29 a.m.
Suggest removal
LaszloPanaflex writes:
Legalize it, regulate it, tax it. Cops should focus on violent crime, not hookers and pot smokers. The quality of this guy's Chinese food should be the only topic of discussion about him.
March 7, 2008
6:57 a.m.
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vudumom writes:
Thank You, Froward69.I'll give it a shot.
If the reports are true this guy had a huge pot growing organization.That is different than some guy smoking a joint or having some pot on him.If reports are true he was running a drug cartel and laundering money.This is still against the law.
March 7, 2008
7:12 a.m.
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DahmersCookbook writes:
$1 A bowl huh, i'm onto ya' Tang!
March 7, 2008
7:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
emcee writes:
Legalize it... period. I can't blame the DEA for doing their jobs. The problem lies within the hearts and minds of our fellow citizens. The US public has an unhealthy susceptibility to irrational scare tactics. For the right price, anything and anyone can be demonized in the United States. "War on <insert anything here>" is our only common mantra.
March 7, 2008
7:25 a.m.
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SanctuaryCity writes:
Peking Duck or pot chicken (Daily Special)
Only in America
March 7, 2008
7:47 a.m.
Eric writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
March 7, 2008
7:59 a.m.
Suggest removal
BMat writes:
A big bong-load of green and some Crispy Duck?
I wanna party with the PRESIDENT!
No wonder he can't find the WMD. He prolly loses stuff all the time . . .
March 7, 2008
8:19 a.m.
Suggest removal
Dude writes:
what is this Tang up to.
March 7, 2008
8:21 a.m.
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Dude writes:
i wonder ig they raided his other restaurant, "101 ways to WOK a Dog"
March 7, 2008
8:34 a.m.
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reddog writes:
no kung pow kitty cat...
March 7, 2008
8:38 a.m.
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DahmersCookbook writes:
Po-T-Fo Cheep
March 7, 2008
8:45 a.m.
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Dude writes:
smells like chicken chow main, but tastes like dog.
March 7, 2008
8:52 a.m.
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mytwosense writes:
Hear's an idea: how about re-directing law enforcement's time and money spent on stupid wastes of time like pot investigations and ambushing hapless men in airport bathrooms to cracking down on child predators instead?
March 7, 2008
8:55 a.m.
Suggest removal
American100 writes:
Such a waste of time and money.
Tax it, regulate it like booze, stop spending time & resources on pot when there are so many other more serious problems in our communities i.e. meth, gangs, illegal immigration.
March 7, 2008
9:05 a.m.
Suggest removal
wow writes:
Imagine the revenue from legal pot sales...I cannot for the life of me figure out why pot is still prohibited...and I knew I liked the Green Tea there, now I know why ;).
March 7, 2008
9:46 a.m.
Suggest removal
jackwoehr writes:
Another day in the nascent American Police State.
March 7, 2008
9:59 a.m.
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Dude writes:
after I ate there I had a bad case of the munchies. good thing there was a Diary Queen down the street. Anyone else have this?
March 7, 2008
10:10 a.m.
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Heidi writes:
Dude, Yes! But I prefer a big plate of greasy nachos.
March 7, 2008
10:15 a.m.
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Monica030 writes:
Phone taps...are they terrorists? I'm terrified.
March 7, 2008
10:15 a.m.
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SCC writes:
vudumom- you dont know what good chinese food is do you? The sesame chicken that they have there is amazing. Theres a reason they have been voted best chinese resturant in the area the past couple of years. Maybe you would enjoy going to the Ho Ho's off of washington and getting food for $1 a scoop. I wish i would have known he was dealing, i wouldnt have to drive 20 minutes to meet my guy
March 7, 2008
10:23 a.m.
Suggest removal
Dude writes:
MSG should be illegal.
March 7, 2008
10:32 a.m.
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psu96 writes:
vudumom,
all you do is complain,
they probably didn't cater to your kids that you hold as the standard for all kids...get over yourself.
March 7, 2008
10:39 a.m.
Suggest removal
bone writes:
ooooohhhhhh....dairy queen for munchies...i'll bet if you looked other way, theres a ben n jerry's....its an organized restaraunt syndicate....get your $$ fo dinnner, then $$ fo smoke, then ure $$ fo munchies, i'll bet the cabbie on the corner is from bejing...??
March 7, 2008
10:41 a.m.
Suggest removal
redwhiteandBLUE writes:
Is this the American Dream they all come for? A restaurant as a front, for drug dealing? An using an American flag tie to pretend your American when all you want is to prosper in selling drugs.
March 7, 2008
10:43 a.m.
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hdfresh writes:
You guys need to go across the street from Heaven Dragon to Chan's Inn. By far the best Chinese food ever. And this coming from an Asian man who knows what good chinese food is.
March 7, 2008
10:50 a.m.
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Squatch writes:
I just got a Buy one get one free coupon for the Mint Chocolate chip Blizzard.
March 7, 2008
10:52 a.m.
Suggest removal
Squatch writes:
Geez another Illegal immagrant selling drugs and committing crimes oh but wait he isnt from south of the border. According to most of the people who post on here they only come from Mexico.
March 7, 2008
11:59 a.m.
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TheVentilator writes:
After our meal, the President and I had a glass of Tang, smoked a huge bone, then discussed campaign contributions.
Sincerely, Dan Tang
March 7, 2008
12:07 p.m.
Suggest removal
BMat writes:
FREE DAN TANG !!!
STOP THIS ILLEGAL OPPRESSION !!!
FREE DAN TANG !!!
March 7, 2008
12:14 p.m.
Suggest removal
Dude writes:
when i was a kid i wanted to be an astronaut, because they get all the TANG they want.
March 7, 2008
12:43 p.m.
Suggest removal
MeAgainstMachine writes:
This explains why I can't find any...never mind. No Chinese eyes for you Tang! Dude had to be smoking his own stash because he has mastered the art of munchy food. His crabcheese wontons are hanging off the chain. I used to get them all the time when I worked up in Thorton. Wish I would have known he was "the man". Could have done a lot of one stop shopping with him. I am a little bummed about the money allegedly going back to China though. For that he should pay. Gotta keep the greenbacks in our country and in our economy.
March 7, 2008
12:48 p.m.
Suggest removal
Zinnia79 writes:
Chinese food and mary jane goes well together.
I'm sure Dan Tang is not going to jeopardize his business and reputation to deal pot. He already makes a lot of money from his restaurant..it's his relatives that are involved. He's innocent!
For awesome Chinese food..try Wok Uptown in Denver by 18th and Ogden st. www.wokuptown.com..great Singapore Street Noodles and Mongolian Beef.....best Chinese food in Denver!
March 7, 2008
12:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
Zinnia79 writes:
Chinese food and mary jane goes well together.
I'm sure Dan Tang is not going to jeopardize his business and reputation to deal pot. He already makes a lot of money from his restaurant..it's his relatives that are involved. He's innocent!
For awesome Chinese food..try Wok Uptown in Denver by 18th and Ogden st. www.wokuptown.com. Great Singapore Street Noodles and Mongolian Beef.....best Chinese food in Denver!
March 7, 2008
12:56 p.m.
Suggest removal
VoiceOfTheRockies writes:
Tang drove past me this morning while I was taking my daughter to school and I happen to notice that he was rubbing his head as if he had a headache. I guess now I know why.
Tang runs a very nice establishment, which probably helps to keep the attached strip mall alive. I don't really know how easy it is to cook Chinese food without pots but Tang is going to have to learn how. I guess that is what woks are for?
March 7, 2008
12:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
Zinnia79 writes:
that's www.wokuptown.com
March 7, 2008
12:59 p.m.
Suggest removal
Theoldguy writes:
When I lived in that neighborhood, years ago, I frequented that restaurant. I thought that some of the Chinese customers looked a bit too gangsterish. Like a cheap Made in China movie where they try to emulate the toughs of the 30's.
When I sold my house it was to "a waiter" from that restaurant.
Interesting that the Chinese have made inroads to the White House. After reading this story and a little critical thinking I'm starting to form a different picture of our "Chinese friends".
I'll try not to be accusatory, but I very glad I now live very far from Denver.
March 7, 2008
1:03 p.m.
Suggest removal
Zinnia79 writes:
First of all...Dan Tang is not an illegal immigrant nor is he a drug dealer. He is a hard working business man who runs a successful establishment. The Feds will not find him guilty of this marijuana ring.
I wish the government would just legalize the herb already and stop all this nonsense. The cops need to be busting murderers, child molesters, rapist and other violent criminals. Marijuana should be legalized!
March 7, 2008
1:33 p.m.
Suggest removal
gr8fun4me writes:
Ahhhh, now I get why the republican administration is so stupid. They laced the food with dope! :)
March 7, 2008
1:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
TheDenverB writes:
wok uptown is considered good?
i give up on Chinese food in this city then.
March 7, 2008
1:46 p.m.
Suggest removal
Zinnia79 writes:
Yeah, Wok Uptown is great. They have been in business for 6 years and serve all of downtown Denver. I think they have the freshiest and best tasting Chinese food without the use of MSG. All my friends and family seem to think so, too. Never had a bad experience there. I am loyal to them.
March 7, 2008
1:51 p.m.
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Shaupeen writes:
Ancient Chinese secret my ass!!!
March 7, 2008
1:57 p.m.
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Dude writes:
what about Wong's from Norbit?
March 7, 2008
2:11 p.m.
Suggest removal
lzwinner writes:
There's plenty of better asian food around that area, one of my favorite is call May Wah on 120th ave and Sheridan Blvd next to Staple, beautiful dining room and very good people. At least I know they use politics or pot to help their businese!!!!!!!!!!
March 7, 2008
2:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
Contempt_for_Texas writes:
I think this is a total conspiracy. First they go after Happy Ending Massage Parlor. That CU kids prints nasty thing about those "slippery easterners". Now this. What is it about the metro being racist to the chinese? Folks need to recognize that they are people too.
March 7, 2008
3:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
denverinfidel writes:
It still boggles my mind that this country is so concerned w/ "fighting" pot. It makes you sit on the couch and eat doritos. Versus whiskey that makes you beat your wife and black out. Its just insanity.
I hope he walks scot-free.
March 7, 2008
5:42 p.m.
Suggest removal
HolierThanThou writes:
Relax Bush did not inhale. He only likes Coke and Whiskey.
March 7, 2008
6 p.m.
Suggest removal
media_assassin writes:
Take away the statement made by an unnamed informant and there is only the US attorney's statement of an investigation into Tang's connection and Tang's denial of participation. Let me know when charges are filed, the rest is hype at this point.
Pass the sesame chicken.
March 7, 2008
9:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
redwhiteandBLUE writes:
Yea, they're ALL hard working businessmen..yea right!!
March 7, 2008
10:20 p.m.
Suggest removal
jgrinis writes:
LOL! THIS IS A WASTE OF TIME. HERES OUR GOVERNMENT HARD AT WORK. WOW! HERES AN IDEA, LEGALIZE IT ALREADY, AND FOCUS ON REAL CRIME.
March 13, 2008
8:57 p.m.
Suggest removal
whostheman writes:
come on. this isn't a handful of plants. were talking thousands of plants. nothing but pure greed! i've enjoyed many a sesame chickens at his place but that's it.
March 22, 2008
1:01 a.m.
Suggest removal
denver01 writes:
I live a few blocks from the restaurant and really like the food. Dan remembers those who frequent the restaurant. IF he is guilty then what a disappointment. Maybe he is not who everyone thought he was. Why would you work so hard to come here and then do something like this? What a waste! The fact is that pot is not legal, neither is money laundering. Is smoking pot that big of a deal? I don't know, but I do know that other behaviours that it leads many to, are a big deal. No more Heaven for me!
March 25, 2008
7:24 p.m.
Suggest removal
denversucks writes:
Reading these posts makes me realize how glad I am that I just moved far away from Denver. You pot smoking losers can have fun in that craphole city. I will enjoy living across the country with people who actually speak to each other, are polite and have more to their lives than bitching about republicans, smoking pot and the latest style of crocs. If any of you make a decent living , have fun if Barack or Hillary get elected. The taxes will take it all away and then you'll be bitching about that. Fu*kin losers.