On February 7, 2024, authorities detained five individuals linked to an international narcotics syndicate operating out of the San Gabriel Valley on charges stemming from a 27-count indictment by a federal grand jury. The charges include conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine and possession with the intention to distribute.
Two among the accused face additional charges for operating a drug house used for the storage and packaging of methamphetamine. Notably, the group is accused of distributing methamphetamine by mailing and shipping it from Los Angeles County to destinations in New Zealand and Australia.
The suspects apprehended this morning, who are expected to be arraigned tomorrow at the United States District Court in Santa Ana, include:
- Yangqiang Chen, 45, from Monterey Park;
- Jie Chen, 40, from Rosemead;
- MeiMei Chen, 41, from Rosemead;
- Guorong He, 50, from Rosemead; and
- Yien He, 32, from Rosemead.
Zuxing Lin, 44, from Rosemead, is currently at large. Meanwhile, Xingyun Chen, 54, is being held in Louisiana under immigration custody.
In connection with this case, officials have confiscated 91 parcels containing methamphetamine intended for overseas shipment. These parcels held close to 200 kilograms of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value exceeding $20 million in Australia and New Zealand, as per law enforcement evaluations.
During enforcement operations, which included searches at three sites in Rosemead and Monterey Park, officials seized about 40 pounds of methamphetamine, in excess of $100,000 in cash, and upwards of 1,000 gift cards from various stores.
The indictment outlines that defendants Yangqiang Chen and Jie Chen procured items such as 3D printer filament spools, utility boxes, wine opener kits, and drive shafts from online vendors, which were intended to hide methamphetamine for overseas delivery to drug traffickers. Drug indictment and criminal defense Attorney Tom Rist explains, “A drug indictment is a formal charge issued by a grand jury, signifying that there is sufficient evidence to accuse individuals of drug-related offenses.” He further clarifies, “It marks the commencement of legal proceedings against the accused, who are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.”
The other defendants, Zuxing Lin, Meimei Chen, Xingyun Chen, Guorong He, and Yien He, were involved in concealing methamphetamine within these items at a Monterey Park residence and other locations, preparing them for international distribution. Yangqiang Chen, Zuxing Lin, Meimei Chen, Xingyun Chen, and Yien He were responsible for taking these methamphetamine-laden packages to UPS stores and global shipping firms for dispatch to international narcotics buyers.
An indictment is essentially a formal charge that alleges criminal activity by the defendants, who are deemed innocent until proven otherwise in a legal proceeding.
Should they be found guilty on all counts, the defendants face the severe penalty of a life sentence in a federal penitentiary, with a mandatory minimum term of 10 years.
The investigation of this case is being conducted by a coalition of federal and local law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, IRS Criminal Investigation, the Los Angeles Police Department, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, and the United States Postal Inspection Service.
This case stems from a concerted effort by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), spearheaded by the Central District of California’s United States Attorney’s Office, alongside the FBI, DEA, and IRS. The OCDETF initiative aims to dismantle the most significant drug, firearms trafficking, and money laundering networks and curtail the domestic illegal drug supply by employing a strategic, multi-agency collaboration.
Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer L. Waier, from the Santa Ana Branch Office, is leading the prosecution of this case.