A sophisticated smuggling operation that funneled an estimated $200 million worth of illegal merchandise through the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex has been disrupted by federal authorities. Nine individuals, including business owners and truck drivers, were indicted for their role in the scheme, which officials say relied on fraudulent customs procedures to move counterfeit and potentially hazardous goods into the country.
Feds uncover $200 million smuggling operation tied to China pic.twitter.com/mjTgWfVr9N
— Karli Bonne’ 🇺🇸 (@KarluskaP) January 28, 2025
Investigators uncovered a complex system in which smugglers acquired container security codes before shipments arrived. Using this inside knowledge, counterfeit seals identical to those issued by U.S. Customs were manufactured overseas and sent to conspirators within the U.S. These seals were then used to conceal tampered shipments, preventing detection by customs officials.
👉Feds uncover a $200 million smuggling operation tied to China, using the Ports of LA.
drop#1203
Why is the MX border / Long Beach Port so important?
Tick TOCK (LLC).
Q~T edit: Hello Adam. About that poor little black boy at the Standard.
X LINK pic.twitter.com/GwfeA0F0RZ
— Viola Bergeron WILL NOT COMPLY!!!! (@StarSeed_2020) January 28, 2025
Instead of directing flagged containers to designated government inspection sites, truck drivers involved in the operation were allegedly instructed to divert them to off-site warehouses. Once there, the original cargo was removed, replaced with low-value filler material, and the fraudulent seals were applied before sending the containers back into the inspection system. This process allowed smugglers to bypass federal screening and flood the market with illicit products.
This is a major bust. A $200 million smuggling operation tied to China using the Ports of LA shows just how deep the infiltration runs. It’s not just about illegal goods, it’s about the security of our nation’s ports and the people who depend on them.
— MAG🔫1775🇺🇸 (@Mar50cC5O) January 27, 2025
Authorities reported seizing over $130 million in smuggled goods, including a major bust that uncovered $20 million in counterfeit luxury items. The smuggling ring is believed to have been in operation from mid-2023 to 2024 and represents one of the most extensive customs fraud cases in recent years. Officials warn that such schemes not only undermine American businesses but also pose risks to consumers by allowing unregulated and potentially dangerous products to enter the supply chain.
Among those charged is Weijun Zheng, accused of using his logistics businesses to facilitate the illegal imports. Zheng remains a fugitive, while eight others have been arrested and are facing trial for conspiracy, smuggling, and violating customs laws. Authorities are continuing their investigation and expect more individuals to be implicated.
With major shipping hubs being a target for international smuggling rings, officials say efforts to tighten security at U.S. ports are ongoing. Investigators emphasize that further scrutiny of shipping practices and better tracking of imports will be necessary to prevent future operations of this scale.
