Qinliang Chen, 34, of Rosemead, Calif., was sentenced to 15 months in prison for his involvement in an international money laundering and drug trafficking organization, the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of Massachusetts announced today.
In February 2024, Chen pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering.
Chen was among 12 individuals from Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, and California indicted in May 2023 for alleged involvement in an international money laundering and drug trafficking operation reportedly led by Jin Hua Zhang, the department said.
Charging documents indicate that Zhang’s organization was first identified in 2021, operating across the greater Boston area, other U.S. locations, and internationally, the department states.
For a fee, Zhang reportedly laundered cash for drug dealers and other illegal businesses, the department added.
Within less than a year, the organization is believed to have laundered over $25 million in drug profits and funds from other illicit operations.