LAREDO, Texas — A Chinese national was indicted for his part in a conspiracy involving the importation of what is believed to be the largest amount of fentanyl precursors found in South Texas following an investigation conducted by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Minsu Fang aka Fernando, 48, appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga on June 23. On June 19, authorities arrested him in New York City based on a Laredo warrant.
“Homeland Security Investigations plays a pivotal role in disrupting the supply of illicit opioids at every point in the drug supply chain: internationally, at our nation’s borders, and in communities throughout the United States,” said HSI San Antonio Special Agent in Charge Craig Larrabee. “The partnerships in this investigation were key to securing this indictment. The threat imposed by fentanyl dictates that agencies not only deconflict and coordinate, but to also collaborate. This investigation and prosecution are the perfect example of collaboration across agencies and throughout the country.”
According to court documents, a federal grand jury charged Fang July 17 in a four-count indictment under seal with conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance, conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance for purpose of unlawful importation, conspiracy to import a controlled substance and conspiracy to export a controlled substance.
The now unsealed charges allege Fang and his associates shipped over 2,000 kilograms of fentanyl precursor chemicals from China into the United States and on to Mexico in approximately 100 separate shipments between August and October 2023. Fang and his co-conspirators were able to avoid law enforcement interdiction of the shipments by declaring them to have a de minimis value — less than $800 — and commingling the boxes containing the precursor chemicals with similarly low valued import items, according to the charges.
As a result, each of the shipments were allegedly admitted into the United States without a detailed inspection of the individual contents. Once in the United States, Fang, through co-conspirators, shipped the chemicals into Mexico, according to the charges.
If convicted, Fang faces up to life on each count and a $10 million fine.
“We charged this defendant for importing enough fentanyl precursor chemicals from China to kill millions of Americans,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “Fentanyl is the deadliest drug threat the United States has ever faced, and the Justice Department is committed to breaking apart every link in the global fentanyl supply chain.”
Assistant U.S. Attorneys for the Southern District of Texas Richard D. Hanes and Heather Rae Winter are prosecuting the case.
An indictment is a formal accusation of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant is presumed innocent unless convicted through due process of law.