DAYTON, OH – A sweeping federal indictment unsealed today reveals a sophisticated international drug trafficking and money laundering operation funneling fentanyl precursors from China into the heart of Ohio. The indictment names 22 Chinese nationals, three U.S. citizens, and four Chinese pharmaceutical companies, alleging a conspiracy to flood American streets with deadly fentanyl mixtures.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio, the operation, which ran from at least 2022 to the present, centered around the procurement of illicit cutting agents from Chinese suppliers. These agents, including animal tranquilizers reportedly up to 200 times more potent than morphine, were then used by domestic traffickers to increase the yield and potency of fentanyl destined for street-level sales in southern Ohio. Attorney General Pamela Bondi stated, “Protecting Americans from fentanyl is one of this Department’s most important missions — and it starts with dismantling the international pipelines that bring deadly drugs and precursor to our shores. We will not rest until we stop Chinese companies from shipping poison to our citizens and bring everyone involved in this lethal trade to swift, complete justice.”
At the center of the U.S. side of the operation is Eric Michael Payne, 39, of Tipp City, Ohio, identified as a key supplier of these cutting agents to fentanyl traffickers. Payne allegedly purchased multiple kilogram shipments from Chinese companies masquerading as online pharmacies and legitimate chemical businesses. Investigators believe Payne and his associates procured at least 10 kilograms of fentanyl cutting agents, capable of yielding over 150 kilograms of fentanyl mixture for sale. FBI Director Kash Patel declared, “This operation has already seized enough fentanyl powder to kill 70 million Americans and enough fentanyl pills to kill another 270,000. And we have now indicted the Chinese precursor companies and exposed the funding streams that facilitate this deadly trade.”
The indictment details a complex financial scheme used to conceal the illicit transactions. Chinese nationals allegedly solicited orders, negotiated prices, and secured payments – primarily in cryptocurrency – from U.S. customers. These funds were then transferred to crypto wallets controlled by the foreign nationals before being deposited into overseas financial institutions. Assisting Payne in this process were his significant other, Auriyon Tresan Rayford, 24, also of Tipp City, Ohio, and Ciandrea Bryne Davis, 39, of Atlanta. Both are accused of helping Payne transfer over $60,000 in cryptocurrency to the Chinese nationals since 2022. Rayford is also alleged to have allowed illegal substances to be stored at her Ohio residence.
“Our indictment alleges that Chinese companies and affiliated foreign nationals intentionally and openly marketed, delivered, and exported to the United States controlled substances and other compounds that they knew would be used by domestic drug dealers to increase the yield and potency of fentanyl distributed in this country,” explained U.S. Attorney Dominick S. Gerace II. “As explained in court documents, these deadly drug mixtures were then sold directly into our communities here in southern Ohio.” FBI Cincinnati Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola added, “The FBI is using an aggressive investigative strategy to target businesses in China which are sending lethal drugs to the streets of our cities.”
All defendants are charged with conspiring with intent to distribute 400 grams or more of fentanyl mixture and conspiring to launder money internationally. The investigation, a joint effort by the FBI, DEA, and U.S. Attorney’s Office, marks a “first-of-its-kind international operation” targeting fentanyl precursors originating in mainland China, according to the FBI. The case is ongoing, and further arrests are expected as authorities continue to unravel the full scope of this deadly enterprise.
RELATED: Meth Kingpins Indicted in Ohio Meth Smuggling Ring
Related Federal Cases
- Ohio Woman Sentenced for Drug Smuggling into U.S. · Ohio
- Ohio Docs Accused of Risky Cancer Drug Import Scheme · Ohio
- FDIC OKs Erebor Bank Deposit Insurance in Ohio · Ohio
- Silk Road Vendor Handel Admits to Nationwide Drug Trafficking · Maryland
- Ohio Man Sentenced for Heroin Distribution in W.Va. · West Virginia
Key Facts
- State: Ohio
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
🔒 Get the grimiest stories delivered weekly. Subscribe free →
Browse More
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
US NewsUS NewsUS NewsUS News