CHARLOTTE, N.C.
Two Chinese nationals and a New York woman pleaded guilty today to laundering millions in drug trafficking proceeds, marking the final convictions in a sweeping federal case that dismantled a prolific Chinese money laundering organization (CMLO).
Defendants:
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Enhua Fang, 38, of China
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Jianfei Lu, 30, of China
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Shu Jun Zhen, 36, of Staten Island, NY
Federal prosecutors said the group laundered over $92 million in illicit funds, including proceeds from drugs trafficked into the U.S., primarily via Mexico.
Fang acted as an organizer, directing couriers to collect bulk drug cash across the U.S. and deposit it into shell company accounts to disguise its origin. She used encrypted apps and burner phones to avoid detection and admitted to laundering at least $90 million over two years.
Lu managed cash pickups and deposits while Fang was abroad and secured fake IDs for couriers. He admitted involvement in laundering $25 to $65 million.
Zhen, acting under Fang and Lu’s orders, deposited nearly $25 million in bulk cash using both real and fake identities.
All three pleaded guilty to multiple counts of conspiracy and money laundering. Each faces up to 20 years for conspiracy and laundering counts and 10 years for monetary transactions involving criminally derived property.
The guilty pleas conclude a broader DOJ crackdown that has now fully dismantled this CMLO cell.
The case was investigated by the DEA Charlotte District Office and IRS Criminal Investigation Charlotte Field Office, with prosecution led by the DOJ Criminal Division and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of North Carolina.