In connection with an international drug trafficking ring, five San Gabriel Valley (SGV) residents were arrested for allegedly conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, Wednesday.

Meimei Chen, 41, Yangqiang Chen, 45, Jie Chen, 40, Guorong He, 50, and Yien He, 32, were accused of storing and shipping the methamphetamine to Australia and New Zealand using various vessels to hide the product.

The search warrants were executed in Rosemead, where four of the defendants were from and Monterrey Park, where the fifth defendant was from.

“Two of the defendants also have been charged with maintaining a drug premises where the methamphetamine was stored and packaged,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office said. “Specifically, the defendants are engaged in the mailing and shipping of methamphetamine from Los Angeles County to New Zealand and Australia.”

During the searches Wednesday, 40 pounds of methamphetamine were found, along with $100,000 in cash.

The Chens are believed to have ordered a 3D printer to create vessels to hide the meth, as well as utility chests, wine opener sets and drive shafts.

Throughout the entirety of the investigation, which can be traced to multiple states, the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) found more than 400 pounds of methamphetamine stuffed in vessels such as life-sized baby dolls and hollowed-out hardcover books. If sold in Australia and New Zealand, the confiscated drugs were valued at $20 million.

Xingyun Chen, 54, was arrested in Louisianna, in connection with the drug ring. Zuxing Lin, 44 and also from Rosemead, is at large and considered a fugitive.

If convicted for the 27 counts, the five defendants from the SGV would serve a maximum of life in federal prison and face a minimum of 10 years.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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