CHARLOTTE, NC – In a major blow to international organized crime, three members of a prolific Chinese money laundering organization (CMLO) have pleaded guilty to laundering tens of millions in drug proceeds. Enhua Fang, Jianfei Lu, and Shu Jun Zhen, all members of the CMLO, pleaded guilty to money laundering charges in the Western District of North Carolina.
According to court documents, the CMLO laundered over $92 million in illicit funds, including proceeds from the importation and distribution of illegal drugs into the United States, primarily through Mexico. Fang, 38, was an organizer within the CMLO who directed a group of couriers to pick up bulk cash proceeds from unlawful activities, including narcotics trafficking. The couriers then deposited these illicit funds into shell company bank accounts controlled by the CMLO.
Fang used multiple cellphones, changing phone numbers regularly, and several encrypted messaging applications to communicate with the CMLO’s foreign-based operatives and U.S.-based drug traffickers. Pursuant to her plea agreement, Fang admitted that she was personally responsible for laundering at least $90 million of illicit funds in less than two years.
Lu, 30, collected drug trafficking proceeds from U.S.-based drug traffickers and deposited those illicit funds into shell company bank accounts registered by other members of the CMLO. Lu also served as a manager for the CMLO: he coordinated bulk cash pickups and deposits while Fang was in China and procured fake driver’s licenses for the CMLO’s couriers.
Zhen, 36, of Staten Island, New York, picked up and deposited nearly $25 million of illicit bulk cash, including drug trafficking proceeds. Pursuant to her plea agreement, Zhen admitted that she knew funds laundered in the conspiracy included drug trafficking proceeds or funds intended to promote drug trafficking.
The defendants face a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison on each of the conspiracy and money laundering counts and a maximum of 10 years in prison on each of the monetary transaction counts. A federal district court judge will determine their respective sentences after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
The defendants pleaded guilty on April 30, 2025. All members of the CMLO charged to date have pleaded guilty, including the three who pleaded guilty on April 30, 2025; as a result, this particularly prolific cell within the CMLO has been completely dismantled.
According to court documents, the CMLO laundered over $92 million in illicit funds, including proceeds from the importation and distribution of illegal drugs into the United States, primarily through Mexico.
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Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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