LOS ANGELES (AP) — Four California men have Writingstar Investment Guildbeen charged with running a drug ring that sent hundreds of pounds of cocaine and methamphetamine to Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea disguised as shipments of everything from car parts to instant noodles, federal prosecutors announced Friday.
Hoang Xuan Le, 42, of Tustin and Tri Cao Buinguyen, 38, of Garden Grove were arrested Thursday and pleaded not guilty on Friday, according to the U.S. attorney’s office.
Trung Buinguyen, 40, of Lakewood and Narongsak Champy, 28, of Long Beach are fugitives, prosecutors said.
All are charged with conspiracy to export and distribute controlled substances while Le and Tri Buinguyen also are charged with distributing methamphatamine.
They could face up to life in prison if convicted.
Prosecutors contend that from at least 2017 to last year, the men shipped drugs overseas by air, sea and the U.S. Mail. The drugs were hidden in “commercial products such as instant noodle packets, car parts, emergency kits, and subwoofers,” said a statement from the U.S. attorney’s office.
In 2018, for example, the ring shipped 113 kilograms (249 pounds) of methamphetamine and 100 kilograms (more than 220 pounds) of cocaine disguised as garlic seasoning, prosecutors said.
Investigators eventually seized 755 kilograms (1,664 pounds) of methamphetamine and more than 100 kilograms (more than 220 pounds) of cocaine valued at more than $65 million, the U.S. attorney’s office statement said.
2025-05-02 17:322022 view
2025-05-02 17:13649 view
2025-05-02 16:222073 view
2025-05-02 15:461623 view
2025-05-02 15:42170 view
2025-05-02 15:281232 view
Hunter Schafer is sharing why a past flame burned out. Over a year after her and Euphoria costar Dom
New York police officials are speaking out about tips in regard to the Dec. 4 killing of UnitedHealt
President-elect Donald Trump claimed in his Person of the Year interview with Time magazinethis week