Operation Apex Leads to the Dismantling of International Money Laundering, Drug Trafficking, and Wildlife Trade Group

According to a DOJ press release from September 3, 2020, an international conspiracy profiting from the illegal trade of drugs and wildlife has been shut down in a multi-agency law enforcement operation.

Operation Apex, started by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), targeted two businesses in Florida and California and twelve defendants who used a money laundering operation to disguise the profits of trafficking wildlife products and marijuana. The unlawful activities spanned a 10-year period. The defendants and businesses were charged with Mail and Wire Fraud Conspiracy; Conspiracy to Possess with Intent to Distribute and to Distribute Controlled Substances; and Money Laundering Conspiracy.

The indictment alleges that defendants created false documents, fake businesses, and dozens of transnational bank accounts to hide the money collected from their illegal activities. Bulk cash amounts would be transferred to third-party accounts located in the United States, Mexico, and Hong Kong to hide illegal activities.

Defendants participated in a practice called “shark finning,” during which a shark is caught at sea, its fin is removed, and the injured shark is thrown back into the ocean and left to die. The shark fins were then sold and used in shark fin soup, an expensive Asian delicacy. Law enforcement officials documented the harvest of over 6 tons of shark fins during arrest and searches related to this case. Agents also seized 18 totoaba fish bladders, which are a delicacy in Asia but come from an endangered species, making their harvest illegal.

Aurelia Skipwith, Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, said in the press release, “The Trump Administration believes in law enforcement and tackling wildlife trafficking. By successfully dismantling this criminal operation, we are unveiling the true nature of criminal syndicates, in which species like sharks and totoaba are the silent victims.”

The aforementioned press release details that aside from discovering the sale and trade of endangered species, Operation Apex agents seized $3.9 million in multiple bank accounts; approximately $3 million in gold, silver, and other precious metals, along with $1 million in diamonds; approximately 18,000 marijuana plants, 34.5 pounds of processed marijuana, and multiple firearms.

Special Agent in Charge of DEA’s Atlanta Field Division Robert J. Murphy said of the investigation, “Removing dangerous drugs from the streets and hitting drug traffickers in their ‘pockets’ are both integral parts of dismantling sophisticated drug distribution networks, as was the case in this investigation. Their money is their lifeline and without it, their drug distribution activities cannot survive.”

The defendants charged in the case are:

·       Serendipity Solutions LLC, of San Bruno, Calif.;

·       Phoenix Fisheries LLC, of Southport, Fla.;

·       Terry Xing Zhao Wu, 45, of Burlingame, Calif.;

·       Natalie Ye Man Chan Wu, 38, of Burlingame, Calif.;

·       Woonjin Lam, 43, of San Francisco;

·       Anthony Wu, 24, of San Francisco;

·       Billy Chen, 61, of Walnut, Calif.;

·       Ying Le Pang, 47, of San Lorenzo, Calif.;

·       Mark Leon Harrison, 59, of Southport, Fla.;

·       Heather Huong Ngoc Luu, 46, of Westminster, Calif.;

·       Lam Phuoc Quang, 47, of Pasadena, Calif,;

·       Kevin Chinh Nguyen, 40, of Tucker, Ga.;

·       Elias Samuel Castellanos, 54, of Scottsdale, Ariz., and,

·       Terry Louis Shook, 56, of Grosse Pointe Park, Mich.

 “Transnational criminal organizations continue to pose a significant threat to national and international security. Our officers’ expertise, along with the utilization of available tools, and valuable partnerships resulted in the arrest of these criminals. Our communities can feel safer knowing that the men and women of CBP are securing their borders,” said Christopher Kennally, Savannah CBP Area Port Director.

Agencies conducting the investigation include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Special Investigations Unit, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, the U.S. Marshals Service, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Customs and Border Protection, and Homeland Security Investigations, in conjunction with state and local agencies including the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.