The U.S. Department of Justice announced charges against Yan Lin, 41, of California, alleging he conspired to launder tens of millions of dollars derived from drug trafficking proceeds, including fentanyl, cocaine and methamphetamine sales in multiple U.S. cities. According to an unsealed indictment, Mexico-based drug traffickers allegedly hired Lin between March 2022 and October 2024 to move profits back to Mexico using bulk cash deliveries that were used to purchase electronics shipped to co-conspirators in Hong Kong, China and elsewhere, with payments to the traffickers in Mexico occurring via “mirror transactions” minus a commission. A ledger reflecting only a portion of Lin’s 2024 activity reportedly recorded approximately USD 27.4 million in bulk cash delivered across the United States. Lin is charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and concealment money laundering and, if convicted, faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison.
U.S. Department of Justice 2026-01-08
U.S. Department of Justice charges California man with laundering tens of millions in drug trafficking proceeds through China-linked network
The U.S. Department of Justice charged Yan Lin with conspiracy to launder tens of millions from drug trafficking, using bulk cash deliveries and electronics purchases to move profits to Mexico and Hong Kong. Lin's activities reportedly involved USD 27.4 million in 2024, and he faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.