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China-based firms indicted for alleged role in US fentanyl supply chain

LEGAL NEWSLINE

Thursday, November 21, 2024

China-based firms indicted for alleged role in US fentanyl supply chain

Attorneys & Judges
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Merrick B. Garland, Attorney General | https://www.justice.gov/

The Justice Department has unveiled indictments against eight chemical companies based in China and eight employees, accusing them of federal crimes related to the distribution of synthetic opioids, precursor chemicals for fentanyl production, and money laundering. The indictments were filed over the past year in the Middle District of Florida.

Attorney General Merrick B. Garland stated, “Today, the Justice Department announced charges against eight China-based companies and eight individuals we allege are responsible for trafficking precursor chemicals that cartels use to manufacture lethal fentanyl.” He emphasized the department's efforts to disrupt the global fentanyl supply chain originating from Chinese chemical firms.

According to the indictments, defendants allegedly advertised methods to bypass border controls and deliver synthetic opioids or their precursors within Florida and across the United States. They reportedly engaged in tactics like mislabeling shipments to avoid detection. These actions allowed sustained sales of precursor chemicals to clients in Mexico and the U.S., with one company claiming monthly shipments exceeding 20 kilograms globally.

DEA Administrator Anne Milgram remarked on DEA’s ongoing commitment: “For the third time in over a year, DEA investigations have resulted in charges against chemical companies and individuals in China who we allege are supplying chemicals to the cartels to make deadly fentanyl.”

Following China's 2019 ban on fentanyl production, these companies began manufacturing its precursors instead. These precursors are distributed worldwide, including to Mexico where they are used by drug cartels such as Sinaloa Cartel and Cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación.

U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg affirmed ongoing efforts: “Along with our partners at the Drug Enforcement Administration, we will be relentless in our pursuit of China-based chemical companies and their employees who are knowingly manufacturing and exporting fentanyl precursors that cause thousands of deaths every year in the United States.”

Acknowledging cooperation from China's Ministry of Public Security, several indicted companies have ceased operations. Additionally, China has scheduled three key chemicals recently which aids regulation efforts.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys David Chee, David Pardo, Lauren Stoia, Adam McCall, and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney Ashley Haynes for Florida’s Middle District are prosecuting these cases under an Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces operation.

The following case summaries detail specific charges:

- Guangzhou Tengyue Chemical Co., Ltd., charged with attempted importation of protonitazene; Xiaojun Huang allegedly maintained a Bitcoin wallet for payments.

- Hubei Shanglin Trading Co., charged with attempted international money laundering; Zhihan Wang allegedly owned a Bitcoin wallet linked to sales.

- Jiangsu Jiyi Chemical faced charges for attempted importation of protonitazene; Ji Zhaohui held an associated Bitcoin wallet.

- Tianjin Furuntongda Tech Co., Ltd., charged with attempted importation of fentanyl precursors; Wenxing Gao was linked via a cryptocurrency wallet.

- Wuhan Jinshang Import & Export Trading Co., Ltd., charged with multiple offenses including money laundering; Wenying Nie was associated through a Bitcoin wallet.

- Wuhan Mingyue Information Technology charged similarly; Huanhuan Song received funds via Western Union.

- Henan Oumeng Trade Co., Ltd., faced similar charges; Yinxia Zhao linked through a Bitcoin wallet.

- Shanghai Senria New Materials Co., Ltd., also known as Shanghai Senria Biotechnology Co., Ltd.; Zhenbo Han connected through financial transactions.

An indictment remains an allegation until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

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