An international money laundering network linked to the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG) and the Sinaloa Cartel was recently dismantled in South Carolina and Georgia, following a multi-year investigation led by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The arrests, made on January 23, 2025, were recently revealed in local media in the region, showing how the network operated.
Authorities from multiple federal, state and local agencies carried out arrests mainly in Sumter County, South Carolina. The detainees face money laundering charges, in relation to an operation that received income from drug trafficking, specifically from the sale of fentanyl, and that collaborated with Chinese money launderers in the United States.
The detainees, Caspin P. Adachi, 23, Fnu Naim Ullah, 32, and Nasir Ullah, 27, were accused of conducting financial transactions with proceeds from illicit activities exceeding $100,000 over a 12-month period.
The three arrested for the money laundering network. (SCSO)
The arrest warrants were issued on January 14, as a result of a multi-year investigation led by the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), along with state and local law enforcement agencies.
How did the network operate?
According to the investigation, the network operated primarily out of Sumter and was under the supervision of individuals linked to the Mexican cartels CJNG and the Sinaloa Cartel.
Investigators believe the defendants received more than $15 million in profits derived from the sale of fentanyl. These funds were used to purchase large quantities of electronics, which were exported primarily to China and the Middle East.
In money laundering operations, electronic products are often used as vehicles to launder large sums of illicit money due to their high value and easy transport.
These items, such as mobile phones, computers and other electronic devices, are not only in demand globally, but also allow money to be transformed into physical goods that can be resold without raising too many suspicions. By purchasing these products, those involved manage to conceal the origin of the income, since the money goes from being cash to becoming legitimate merchandise.
What else is known about the detainees?
During the operations, authorities conducted searches at two businesses located on Broad Street and at several residences on Rhododendron Street and Currituck Drive, properties related to the suspects. As a result, more than $230,000 in cash, three vehicles, 11 firearms and jewelry valued at hundreds of thousands of dollars were seized.
In turn, another suspect was arrested in Richland County, while a Chinese citizen, Puquan Huang, was arrested in Georgia and is in the process of extradition to South Carolina.
Authorities also revealed that Nasir Ullah faces additional charges in Richland County following his arrest in October 2024, when he was arrested for attempting to smuggle $180,000.
The dismantled network is linked to two criminal groups that are curiously rivals: the CJNG, known for its extreme violence; while the Sinaloa Cartel is responsible for a large part of the production and distribution of fentanyl.
Investigations also indicate that Nasir Ullah and Naim Ullah are related to a key figure in the criminal operation: Mohammad Azam Khan, their father, who is still at large and is believed to be in Dubai. This character is identified as an important operator within the money laundering network.
Following bail hearings, the three defendants were released on different terms: Adachi and Nasir Ullah each posted bail of $20,000, while Naim Ullah posted bail of $200,000.
Bail does not mean that the defendants are presumed innocent or that the case is resolved, so they will continue their proceedings at liberty.
Source: infobae
