Zhi Dong Zhang, also known by several aliases including “Brother Wang,” was arraigned in Brooklyn federal court on charges related to international narcotics trafficking and money laundering. The 38-year-old Chinese citizen was arrested in Mexico following an extradition request from the Eastern District of New York and the Northern District of Georgia. He was returned to the United States on October 23, 2025, and remains detained pending trial.
According to authorities, Zhang has been designated a Consolidated Priority Organization Target (CPOT) by the Department of Justice, which is reserved for some of the world’s most significant narcotics traffickers.
The arraignment was announced by Joseph Nocella, Jr., U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York; Todd W. Blanche, Deputy Attorney General; Theodore S. Hertzberg, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia; Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) New York; and Robert J. Murphy, Special Agent in Charge at Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Atlanta Division.
“As alleged, the defendant is a leader of one of the most prolific drug trafficking and money laundering organizations in the world who, together with his co-conspirators, imported thousands of kilograms of narcotics, including cocaine and methamphetamine, into the United States and other countries,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “The indictments he faces in the Eastern District of New York and the Northern District of Georgia will hold him responsible for the great harm he has caused.”
“The defendant stands accused of running a global enterprise that pumped massive quantities of cocaine, fentanyl, and methamphetamine into our communities and laundered millions in narcotics proceeds,” stated Deputy Attorney General Blanche. “His return to the United States is a major step in dismantling a network that has fueled addiction, violence, and death. I’m grateful for the outstanding work of our prosecutors, agents, and international partners who refused to let him hide behind aliases, shell companies or foreign borders. The Department of Justice will continue to target the world’s most dangerous traffickers wherever they operate and bring them to justice.”
“Zhang’s transnational network was allegedly intricate, well-coordinated, and well-funded,” said Unites States Attorney Hertzberg. “However through great work by dedicated law enforcement agencies and valued cooperation from our international partners Zhang’s poison pipeline has been shut off. Whether perpetrators are here or hiding abroad my office will continue to vigorously pursue anyone who is trafficking illegal narcotics in and through the Northern District of Georgia.”
United States Attorneys Nocella and Hertzberg acknowledged assistance from multiple agencies including HSI Mexico City; HSI Rio Grande Valley; U.S. Marshals Service; DOJ Office of International Affairs; Southern District of Texas U.S. Attorney’s Office; as well as Mexican authorities.
“HSI’s arrest of Zhi Dong Zhang marks a decisive blow against ruthless criminal enterprises responsible for flooding our streets with cocaine meth and deadly fentanyl,” stated HSI New York Special Agent Patel. “The defendant’s alleged actions on behalf of Sinaloa Cartel and CJNG have bolstered operations responsible for peddling death – fueling an overdose epidemic spreading violence destabilizing communities across United States beyond... ensuring no corner their criminal empire beyond reach justice.”
“This arrest represents a critical milestone in a long-running investigation into an alleged high-level narcotics trafficker with international reach,” said DEA Atlanta Special Agent Murphy.
Court filings allege that since June 2016 Zhang led an organization operating between Mexico and United States importing large amounts drugs such as cocaine methamphetamine fentanyl—law enforcement reportedly seized over 46 kilograms cocaine 58 kilograms methamphetamine nearly seven kilograms fentanyl traced back organization.
Authorities say millions were laundered using more than 100 shell companies created with false documents—over $77 million passed through these entities via complex schemes involving recruiters known as "banqueros" opening accounts depositing cash wiring funds abroad under direction supervisors based Mexico called "coordinators."
If convicted on all charges Zhang could face life imprisonment.
In Georgia's indictment authorities allege Zhang used networks coordinators couriers deliver drugs—including recent shipments totaling over ten kilograms—to destinations like Atlanta then managed collection laundering proceeds through about 150 companies across roughly 170 bank accounts totaling approximately $20 million.
This prosecution forms part Operation Take Back America—a national initiative leveraging resources such as Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETFs) Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN)—aimed at disrupting cartels transnational criminal organizations protecting communities from violent crime.
