Asian behaving badly... marijuana bust edition! In New Jersey, six people have been charged in relation to a major marijuana bust -- apparently the biggest pot-growing operation in the state's history: Police bust of $10M multihome pot-production scheme is largest in N.J. history.

Authorities arrested Ngoc Bui, Quyhn Bui, Tuan Dang, Minh Bui, Nhung Thack, and Thu Nguyen for their part in a high-tech, multimillion-dollar network of homes used to grow more than $10 million worth of cannabis under artificial lights.

The investigation started accidentally last month when a Monroe Township Police Officer smelled marijuana coming from the chimney of one of the homes. When he knocked, Thu N. Nguyen opened the door, and the officer smelled unusable pot plants being burned in the fireplace.

Not smart! Memo to dumbass pot growers: do not dispose of marijuana by burning it up... in your fireplace. Nguyen was arrested and police found 1,064 pot plants growing in the basement and master bedroom.

The bust led to search warrants for five more rented houses in four other towns: Millstone, Old Bridge, Manalapan and Manahawkin. Five of the homes were being used to grow marijuana. One of the suspects lived in a sixth home where police seized $60,000 cash and vacuum bags used to package the pot.

From the sound (and smell) of it, this was an extremely elaborate operation. Six people have been charged with running marijuana cultivation facilities. They were also charged with theft of services for bypassing utility meters. Three remain at large and are believed to have fled the country. More here: Smell of pot from chimney leads to record bust.