Two men were sentenced in federal court in Boston for their roles in an international money laundering and drug trafficking operation. Yanbing Chen, a 30-year-old Chinese national who was living unlawfully in Brooklyn, New York, received a sentence of 57 months in prison followed by three years of supervised release. Chen had pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering conspiracy and conspiracy to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine.
Thong Nguyen, 31, from Everett, Massachusetts, was sentenced to four months in prison. He will also serve one year of home detention and two additional years of supervised release. Nguyen pleaded guilty to money laundering conspiracy.
Both men were among 12 individuals charged in May 2023 as part of a wider investigation into a group led by Jin Hua Zhang. The organization was first detected in the greater Boston area and operated across the United States and internationally. According to court documents, Zhang’s group laundered bulk cash for drug dealers and other illegal businesses for a fee. In less than one year, the organization allegedly laundered at least $25 million from drug proceeds and other illegal activities. Authorities traced funds connected to the group to accounts located in Hong Kong, China, India, Cambodia, Brazil, and other countries.
In July 2022, Chen delivered $50,000 in drug proceeds on behalf of Zhang to undercover agents for laundering purposes. These funds were converted into Tether cryptocurrency before being sent back to criminal organizations using Zhang’s services. Law enforcement eventually seized both cash and cryptocurrency linked to the organization.
Chen also delivered five kilograms of cocaine during meetings with cooperating witnesses under law enforcement surveillance at Zhang’s direction during August and September 2022.
Nguyen laundered or attempted to launder over $213,000 derived from marijuana trafficking during March and April 2022 by delivering funds that were subsequently converted into Tether by Zhang’s organization before returning them to the original drug traffickers.
Jin Hua Zhang pleaded guilty in September 2023 and is scheduled for sentencing on December 18, 2025.
“United States Attorney Leah B. Foley and Ted E. Docks, Special Agent in Charge of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Boston Division made the announcement today.” The Quincy Police Department assisted with the investigation. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Christopher Pohl, Meghan C. Cleary and Brian A. Fogerty are prosecuting the case.
“The details contained in the indictment are allegations. The remaining defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
