Edward Y. Kim, Acting United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and Anne Milgram, Administrator of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), have announced an indictment against Xiang Gao, Oleksandr Klochkow, and Igors Kricfalusijs. The charges include conspiring to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine in the U.S., importing precursor chemicals for these drugs with intent to manufacture them domestically, and money laundering. The three individuals were apprehended in Morocco on April 17, 2024, extradited to the U.S. on December 11, 2024, and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Robyn F. Tarnofsky on December 12.
Acting U.S. Attorney Edward Y. Kim stated: “Fentanyl and fentanyl analogues continue to wreak catastrophic damage on the lives of New Yorkers. The defendants are alleged to have aggressively pursued methods to circumvent our ability to stem the flow of the poisons into this country and to bring tons of potentially deadly chemicals to the United States.”
Attorney General Merrick B. Garland emphasized: “Those responsible for flooding our country with fentanyl must answer for their crimes. These three international chemical brokers are charged with conspiring to send fentanyl and methamphetamine precursor chemicals into the United States -- now they will face justice in an American courtroom.”
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco added: “Today’s actions reflect our commitment to holding accountable those who peddle the poison responsible for fentanyl deaths in our communities, including those who import the precursor chemicals needed to manufacture these deadly drugs.”
DEA Administrator Anne Milgram remarked: “Today’s announcement of charges against three high-level fentanyl chemical brokers highlights DEA’s commitment to attack every part of the global fentanyl supply chain.”
The indictment outlines that Gao, Klochkow, and Kricfalusijs used connections with China-based chemical manufacturers to broker deals for large quantities of precursor chemicals intended for distribution in New York and other locations. They allegedly provided over five kilograms of fentanyl precursors and more than 50 kilograms of methamphetamine precursors.
The defendants face several charges: conspiracy to distribute fentanyl and methamphetamine carries a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years up to life imprisonment; conspiracy to import precursor chemicals has a maximum sentence of 20 years; importation of a fentanyl precursor chemical also carries a maximum sentence of 20 years; conspiracy to commit money laundering has a maximum sentence of 20 years.
Mr. Kim praised efforts by various authorities including DEA's Bilateral Investigations Unit, DOJ's Office of International Affairs, as well as Moroccan and Spanish authorities.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Amanda C. Weingarten is leading the prosecution from the Office’s Narcotics Unit.
The indictment's charges are accusations at this stage; all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.