**Chinese National Arrested in Mexico City for Alleged Drug Operations Linked to Major Cartels**
In a significant development within the ongoing battle against international drug operations, authorities have detained a Chinese national, identified as Zhi Dong “N”, in Mexico City. As reported on October 31, 2024, the operation took place at a residence in the upscale neighborhood of Lomas de Santa Fe within the Cuajimalpa district.
Zhi Dong, who is under indictment in the United States, faced charges of conspiracy, international cocaine distribution, and money laundering. According to the national security forces, he managed an operation that illegally generated over 150 million dollars annually. Notably, he is accused of trafficking cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamines, collaborating closely with the renowned Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation Cartels.
The arrest linked to an extradition request from a court in Atlanta, Georgia, reflects joint efforts between various Mexican security agencies, including the Secretaries of Security and Citizen Protection (SSPC), Navy (SEMAR), National Defense (SEDENA), and the Attorney General’s Office (FGR).
**International Connections and Operations**
Zhi Dong operated extensively across multiple continents including the U.S., Central and South America, Europe, China, and Japan. Investigations revealed he often used multiple aliases, such as “Li Gong Sun Chang” and “Ku Li Hernández”, to conceal his identity and movements. Through strategic information exchanges and investigative coordination, authorities effectively tracked his movements, resulting in his capture aimed at extradition.
Authorities noted that his operations resulted in the trafficking of over a thousand kilograms of cocaine, 1,800 kilograms of fentanyl, and 600 kilograms of methamphetamines. Zhi Dong’s involvement with Mexican cartel alliances underscores the extensive international networking in play.
Following his arrest, Zhi Dong was duly informed of his constitutional rights and handed over to the authorities in Mexico City to determine further legal measures in accordance with international extradition protocols.
**Related Developments: Two Chinese Nationals Plead Guilty in the U.S. to Drug Money Laundering Scheme**
In a related sequence of events, two Chinese nationals, Li Pei Tan and Chaojie Chen, pleaded guilty to laundering millions in drug money within the U.S., tied to multiple criminal organizations including Mexican cartels. The U.S. Department of Justice disclosed that these individuals coordinated the collection of drug money across the U.S., financial transactions with accomplices in China, and systematic laundering through the purchase and exportation of electronics.
The arrests underscore a complex scheme involving the shipment of U.S. electronics to China to disguise the narcotics proceeds. Chaojie Chen was apprehended in May 2024, while Li Pei Tan was detained with $197,000 in drug proceeds in South Carolina. Each faces up to 20 years in prison along with substantial monetary penalties, including the forfeiture of assets like $270,000 in cash, a residence, and a firearm.
These actions collectively mark significant steps in the global fight against narcotics operations, emphasizing the interconnected nature of modern drug trafficking and money laundering networks.