Man convicted of drug conspiracy

A Harrisburg, Ore., has been convicted of conspiracy to distribute dangerous drugs.

Thong Kahnh Phandanouvong, 50, entered a plea of guilty by way of Alford on March 27 in Flathead District Court, accepting conviction while continuing to claim innocence.

In October 2012, Phandanouvong was contacted in Oregon by a person he told that he could bring the marijuana to Kalispell to sell for $30,000. Several conversations between the two were recorded and a third person was eventually chosen to transport the drugs.

The transporter was stopped in Kalispell. Ten pounds of marijuana were seized and the driver gave a recorded interview during which he said he and Phandanouvong had gone to Northern California to a Laotian marijuana supplier to pick up the drugs.

Phandanouvong eventually was convinced that the vehicle had broken down and he had to come to Kalispell to collect payment for the drugs. He was arrested when he arrived in town on Oct. 17, 2012.

When he is sentenced on June 5, Phandanouvong faces between two years and life in prison and a fine of up to $50,000.