US EditionWho Is Zhi Dong Zhang, the Chinese Citizen Detained in Cuba, and What Charges Are He Now Facing in the United States? News Channel 3-12
- On Thursday, Omar García Harfuch, Secretary of Security and Citizen Protection of Mexico, confirmed Mexican authorities handed Chinese national Zhi Dong Zhang, also known as 'Brother Wang', to United States authorities.
- Earlier this year, Zhang escaped house arrest in Mexico in July, fleeing through a hole and boarding a private jet; he was detained in Cuba on July 31, 2025, for document forgery and human trafficking.
- Mexican authorities say Zhang allegedly exported over 1,000 kilograms of cocaine, 1,800 kilograms of fentanyl and 600 kilograms of methamphetamine, laundering more than $150 million annually, while an extradition order alleges smuggling over 2,000 pounds of cocaine and 4,000 pounds of fentanyl to the U.S.
- The capture ended a month-long escape attempt, and García Harfuch thanked the Cuban government for its collaboration, which is expected to disrupt Mexico's criminal underworld.
- Amid U.S. pressure on Mexico and China, Zhang allegedly linked Chinese chemical suppliers to Mexican cartels and converted drug proceeds into cryptocurrency in fentanyl supply chains, a drug 50 times stronger than heroin.
26 Articles
26 Articles
Mexico’s week in review: Fentanyl kingpin handed to US as cartel pressures persist
The week of Oct. 20-24, 2025, delivered a major win in the international fight against fentanyl trafficking as Cuban authorities successfully recaptured Chinese criminal “Brother Wang” after he escaped from house arrest in Mexico City in July. The past five days also saw former President Felipe Calderón float a potential political comeback, and Sheinbaum tackle everything from breast cancer prevention to soda consumption during her daily press c…
One of the world's most wanted men, drug lord Zhi Dong Zhang, has been arrested and is on his way to his trial in the United States. But he almost escaped after a daring escape through a hole in the wall.
A daring escape attempt by one of the world's most wanted fugitives has come to an abrupt end, with the drug lord now facing charges in the US. In a statement late Thursday, the Cuban government said it had extradited a Chinese national, Zhi Dong Zhang, to authorities in Mexico. Hours later, Mexico's security chief confirmed his extradition to the US on drug trafficking and money laundering charges. Known by various aliases, including Brother Wa…
Brother Wang, one of his aliases, had been arrested at the end of October 2024 in the Mexican capital, but managed to escape this summer following the controversial decision of a judge to grant him house arrest. The Chinese capo arrived in Cuba with a false passport after being refused entry into Russia for the same reason. Cuban authorities notified their counterparts in Mexico City this week that he had been arrested along with two people, one…
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