Alleged Drug Trafficker Held Without Bond
posted 6:28 pm Tue July 24, 2007 - WASHINGTON
An alleged methamphetamine trafficker arrested in the Washington area will be held without bond because the judge considers him a flight risk.
Zhenli Ye Gon appeared in a U.S. Magistrate Court in Washington Tuesday afternoon. He has a detention hearing set for August 3. Attorneys for Ye Gon say they will try to prevent U.S. authorities from handing him over to Mexico. Ye Gon is wanted in Mexico on organized crime, drug trafficking and weapons charges. He was arrested by federal agents Monday at a Wheaton, Maryland restaurant.
His mansion in Mexico was the scene of what U.S. officials say was the world's largest seizure of drug cash. On March 15, 2007, police say they discovered $207 million.
Ye Gon owned and operated a pharmaceutical wholesale business based in Mexico City, Mexico.
Investigators say from December 2005 until March 2007, Ye Gon conspired with methamphetamine manufacturers who imported methamphetamine into the United States by diverting precursor chemicals to those drug manufacturing and trafficking organizations.
Martin McMahon, a Washington-based lawyer for Ye Gon, says his client would not receive a fair trial in Mexico.
Another lawyer, Ning Ye, went to the federal courthouse in Washington this morning to demand that authorities charge Ye Gon or release him.
Police say they have also arrested Ye Gon's alleged co-conspirator and money-launderer, Michelle Wong, in the Las Vegas area.
Wong was charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity.Click here to see the police video.
Zhenli Ye Gon appeared in a U.S. Magistrate Court in Washington Tuesday afternoon. He has a detention hearing set for August 3. Attorneys for Ye Gon say they will try to prevent U.S. authorities from handing him over to Mexico. Ye Gon is wanted in Mexico on organized crime, drug trafficking and weapons charges. He was arrested by federal agents Monday at a Wheaton, Maryland restaurant.
His mansion in Mexico was the scene of what U.S. officials say was the world's largest seizure of drug cash. On March 15, 2007, police say they discovered $207 million. Investigators say from December 2005 until March 2007, Ye Gon conspired with methamphetamine manufacturers who imported methamphetamine into the United States by diverting precursor chemicals to those drug manufacturing and trafficking organizations.
Another lawyer, Ning Ye, went to the federal courthouse in Washington this morning to demand that authorities charge Ye Gon or release him.
Wong was charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity.Click here to see the police video.
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