Qingzhou Wang and Yiyi Chen, both Chinese nationals, have been sentenced in the United States for their roles in importing fentanyl precursors and money laundering. Wang, identified as the principal executive of a company involved in the operation, received a 25-year prison sentence. Chen, who served as the company's marketing manager, was sentenced to 15 years. Both were found guilty by a jury on February 3, 2025.
The sentencing was carried out by U.S. District Judge Paul G. Gardephe in New York following a two-week trial. In addition to charges related to fentanyl precursor importation, Wang was also convicted for importing a methamphetamine precursor.
U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York Jay Clayton stated: "Mr. Clayton praised the outstanding efforts of the DEA’s Special Operations Division Bilateral Investigations Unit." He further expressed appreciation for several agencies that contributed to the investigation and prosecution: "Mr. Clayton also thanked the DEA Bangkok Country Office, DEA Wellington Country Office, DEA Beijing Country Office, DEA Honolulu District Office, DEA New York Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Strike Force, DEA Riverside District Office, DEA Special Testing Laboratory, the DEA Southwest Laboratory, the Office of International Affairs of the Department of Justice’s Criminal Division, the Royal Thai Police Narcotics Suppression Bureau, the Fiji Police Force Narcotic Bureau, the Fiji Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Hawaii for their assistance."
The case involved significant international cooperation between law enforcement agencies from multiple countries.