LOS ANGELES
A former San Gabriel Valley resident accused of trafficking large quantities of methamphetamine to Australia has been extradited from Singapore after fleeing the United States on the eve of her trial nearly three years ago, federal officials announced Friday.
Demi Pham, 44, a dual U.S.-Vietnamese citizen who previously lived in Rosemead, arrived Thursday evening at Los Angeles International Airport in the custody of federal authorities. She is expected to make her initial court appearance in Santa Ana.
If convicted, Pham faces up to life in prison. She is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Prosecutors allege that between late 2018 and mid-2019, Pham and an associate orchestrated an international drug-smuggling operation, recruiting couriers to transport methamphetamine and cocaine concealed in everyday items such as candles and toy boxes.
Authorities say seizures tied to the scheme totaled more than 30 kilograms of methamphetamine, including drugs recovered from Pham’s residence.
Pham was charged in a four-count indictment and pleaded not guilty. In May 2022, she failed to appear for a scheduled hearing one day before trial, prompting a federal judge to issue a warrant for her arrest.
She was located and arrested in Singapore in November 2025 and has now been returned to the United States to face prosecution.