3 Chinese Seized With $15 Million in Heroin
Federal agents arrested three Chinese nationals and seized 30 pounds of high-grade Asian white heroin with a street value estimated at $15 million after a 24-hour surveillance of a ship in Los Angeles Harbor.
Agents from the U.S. Customs Service and the Drug Enforcement Administration said they were aided by Monterey Park police in staking out the freighter Burling Island, sailing under Panamanian registry out of Hong Kong.
Wednesday night, they arrested crew member Kwok Yeung Wong, a citizen of China, as he allegedly delivered a satchel containing the drugs to Choi Yau Chan and Tan Sar Tee, who were waiting ashore in a rented automobile.
The three were arraigned Thursday in Los Angeles federal court on charges of smuggling and conspiracy. Arresting officers also confiscated $34,000 in cash that they said was to have been paid to Wong as a courier fee.
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