
Federal authorities in Texas have charged Minsu “Fernando” Fang, a Chinese national, with supplying Mexican drug cartels with chemicals needed to make fentanyl. Fang, 48, allegedly imported the chemicals from China and coordinated their smuggling into Mexico.
Fang was brought before U.S. Magistrate Judge Diana Song Quiroga in Laredo, Texas, this week to face a four-count indictment. The charges include conspiracy to import and distribute controlled substances. Fang has been in custody since his arrest in New York on June 19, part of a federal investigation that began in August 2023.
Agents started their probe after intercepting ten boxes of chemicals in New York. These boxes, mislabeled to appear as if they were shipped from California, were actually sent from China and destined for Texas.
Investigators discovered that Fang arranged for the chemicals to be sent to Laredo, Texas, where they were then smuggled into Mexico for the cartels. Fang is believed to have orchestrated hundreds of such shipments from China, evading detection by mislabeling the contents and undervaluing the shipments.
Authorities obtained messages between Fang and his associates detailing the operations. In some exchanges, Fang mentioned threats from his Mexican clients over seized shipments, highlighting the dangers of his illicit activities.
This case illustrates the complex international network involved in the fentanyl crisis, with China as a key supplier, Mexico as the manufacturing hub, and the U.S. as the market suffering from the opioid epidemic. The investigation is ongoing as authorities work to dismantle these dangerous supply chains.