A former University at Buffalo student has been sentenced to 24 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to possess and distribute controlled substances, as well as money laundering.
Zhe Wang, 20, of Queens, NY, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute, and distribution of, controlled substances and money laundering conspiracy, according to U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr.
The investigation revealed that Wang distributed Xanax, and the proceeds of the Xanax sales were used to buy or attempt to buy approximately $74,000 in bitcoins. The defendant then used the bitcoins to buy more drugs for distribution.
Wang was an engineering student at the University at Buffalo during a part of the conspiracy between March 2015 and March 2016. In March 2016, law enforcement agents intercepted two packages mailed from Canada and addressed to one of Wang’s co-defendants in Amherst, NY. Each package contained nearly 3,000 Xanax bars.
Wang was charged along with co-defendants Kevin Szura and Adam Brzozowski. Szura has been convicted and is awaiting sentencing. Charges are pending against Brzozowski.
The fact that a defendant has been charged with a crime is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
The sentencing is the result of an investigation by Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James C. Spero, and the United States Postal Inspection Service, under the direction of Inspector in Charge Shelly Binkowski.
The case was handled by Assistant U.S. Attorney Wei Xiang.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Category: Drug Trafficking|Fraud & Financial Crimes|Violent Crime
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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