Chinese nationals in Virginia conspired with cartels to launder money: Feds
(NewsNation) — Two Chinese citizens in Virginia face federal money laundering conspiracy charges tied to two of the world’s most notorious and dangerous currencies Mexican drug cartelsFederal prosecutors announced Friday.
Ruhan Zhen and Hongce Wu were charged by the Department of Justice with conspiring to launder money in connection with multinational criminal organizations, including the Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels. Both groups were defined as foreign terrorist organizations by the Trump administration.
Federal prosecutors allege in court documents that Zhen and Wu worked with co-conspirators to use a number of covert methods, including mirror transfers, encrypted communications applications, a serial number verification system and trade-based money laundering, to launder significant amounts of drug proceeds on behalf of the cartel.
The alleged illegal activity took place between 2016 and 2025 and involved operators working in the United States, Mexico, Latin America and China. The alleged laundering of drug proceeds by the men stemmed from the importation and sale of illegal drugs, including fentanyl, court documents said.
Zhen and Wu were indicted in late April but were not in federal custody as of Friday. Zhen and Wu face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
Indictments include recent cases involving Chinese citizens operating in the US
Two Chinese pharmaceutical companies and six Chinese citizens in March They were charged in Ohio for allegedly conspiring to smuggle fentanyl into the United States.
There were also cases in South Carolina before. where five homes were seized by federal authorities money laundering, drug trafficking and in connection with a terrorist plot involving Chinese and Mexican companies.
Federal agencies have previously reported that Chinese and Mexican drug gangs have taken over the illegal marijuana industry.
Multinational criminal organizations in the last 10 years exploited state laws across the country When it comes to legalizing marijuana, it leads to criminal groups taking over the black market.
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