A federal grand jury in Florence, South Carolina, has indicted three individuals for their alleged roles in laundering drug proceeds. On April 22, Nasir Ullah, 28, and Naim Ullah, 32, both from Sumter, South Carolina, along with Puquan Huang, 49, from Buford, Georgia, were charged in connection with laundering millions from drug trafficking endeavors.
It is alleged that the group processed tens of millions of dollars from drug profits in the U.S., channeling funds through China and the Middle East. The indictment implicates them in supporting the continued influx of fentanyl and other dangerous substances from Mexico into the U.S.
"Dismantling transnational criminal organizations and Chinese Money Laundering Organizations that support them is a critical priority for the Department," stated Matthew R. Galeotti, the head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. He emphasized the department's ongoing efforts with the DEA and local law enforcement to tackle the financial networks underpinning illegal drug trades.
Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews, for the District of South Carolina, highlighted the operation's scale, noting its $30 million magnitude and international reach. "This $30 million money laundering operation, which has international ties, was conducted in multiple communities in our state," Andrews remarked, further committing to trace and disrupt illicit financial networks.
Jae W. Chung, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the DEA Atlanta Division, praised collaborative efforts which led to this investigation and subsequent arrests. "Cases like this exemplify the value of partnerships," he stated, acknowledging the comprehensive community impact of dangerous drugs.
Court documents revealed that Ullah, Naim Ullah, and Huang, along with co-conspirators, allegedly traveled across the U.S. to manage drug proceeds and coordinated with contacts in China to discreetly move these funds. The indictment outlines methods such as disguising funds through electronic goods shipments to China and the Middle East.
Each defendant faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years if convicted on the charge of conspiracy to commit money laundering.
The investigation involves the DEA’s Charleston, South Carolina Resident Office, with contributions from multiple DEA divisions, the FBI’s Charleston and Columbia offices, and various local South Carolina law enforcement agencies.
The prosecution team includes Trial Attorneys Mary K. Daly and Jasmin Salehi Fashami from the Criminal Division’s Money Laundering and Asset Recovery Section, working with Assistant U.S. Attorney Everett E. McMillian.
Assistance was also provided by the Third and Fifth Judicial Circuit Solicitor’s Offices of South Carolina.
The indictment is an allegation, and the defendants are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.