An accused drug trafficker whose Mexican mansion recently yielded the largest cash haul in history was traced to a Silver Spring grill through his cell phone calls, where federal agents busted him as he sought legal advice, according to his lawyer and court documents.
Zhenli Ye Gon was arraigned in U.S. District Court in D.C. on Tuesday, where he was ordered held without bail. He is charged with possession with intent to distribute illegal narcotics.
Wearing khaki pants and a striped short-sleeve T-shirt, his thinning hair tousled and his shoulders hunched forward as he blinked under the glare of a D.C. federal courtroom, Zhenli looked more like a suburban accountant than one of the world’s leading drug dealers.
But the dual Mexican and Chinese citizen is charged by both Mexican and U.S. officials with using his pharmaceutical company to sell large quantities of methamphetamine.
The hunt for Zhenli, 44, began in Mexico, wound through Las Vegas and ended in a Silver Spring grill late Monday night, authorities said. His capture was huge news in Mexico and likely sets up an international legal struggle over who will prosecute him.
Mexican authorities have requested his extradition, but the U.S. and Mexico have a long-standing agreement that the capturing country can try a defendant first.
Zhenli disappeared from Mexico earlier this year, shortly before Mexican officials raided his mansion and confiscated $207 million in cash. U.S. officials say it was the largest drug-cash seizure in history.
He then fled to Las Vegas, where he has been a frequent visitor. According to court documents, Zhenli has lost more than $125 million gambling in Vegas since 2004.
Ning Ye, a Maryland lawyer who has concentrated on defending Chinese nationals, said Zhenli called him from Las Vegas and asked him to take his case.
Ning said U.S. officials reneged on a promise to allow Zhenli to surrender. Zhenli was having lunch with Ning’s assistant when U.S. marshals, tracing cell phone calls, raided the restaurant.
Ning said that his client was holding the millions in cash on behalf of a powerful Mexican politician who wanted to launder it. Zhenli is now being made a scapegoat, Ning said.
“This is a political case,” he said. “It’s colored with drugs.”
In a courtroom crowded with English- and Spanish-language reporters, Zhenli was ordered held until his preliminary hearing, scheduled for Aug. 3.
