9 Arrested In $200M Port Of LA Counterfeit Smuggling Ring: DOJ

LONG BEACH, CA — Nine people were arrested and charged in connection to an underground smuggling operation that brought at least $200 million worth of illegal goods from China into the United States though the Los Angeles-Long Beach port complex, according to the Department of Justice.

In a 15-count indictment, the DOJ charged the nine defendants with conspiracy, smuggling and breaking customs seals. The indictment alleges between August 2023 and June 2024, the defendants took containers flagged for off-site secondary inspection, unloaded the contraband and replaced it with filler cargo to deceive customs and law enforcement.

During the investigation into this group, law enforcement seized more than $130 million in counterfeit or illegal goods. It is believed that the organization is responsible for smuggling at least $200 million worth of goods.

To date, law enforcement has seized more than $1.3 billion worth of counterfeit goods associated with this organization and other similar schemes.

“The $1.3 billion dollars’ worth of contraband seized during the investigation into this type of scheme illuminates how complex smuggling schemes try to exploit our legitimate trade practices and the American consumer,” said HSI Los Angeles Special Agent in Charge Eddy Wang.

Authorities searched one of the organization's warehouses in June 2024 and discovered $20 million worth of counterfeit items including shoes, perfume, luxury handbags, apparel and watches.

On Friday, seven defendants were arrested and an eighth was taken into custody on Sunday. One of the defendants is a fugitive, officials said.

“Secure seaports and borders are critical to our national security,” said Acting United States Attorney Joseph T. McNally. “The smuggling of huge amounts of contraband from China through our nation’s largest port hurts American businesses and consumers. The charges and
arrests here demonstrate our commitment to enforce our customs laws and keep the American public safe.”

According to prosecutors, the defendants charged in the indictment are:

• Weijun Zheng, 57, a.k.a. “Sonic,” of Diamond Bar - Zheng is a fugitive who controls several logistics companies operating in the LA area.
• Hexi Wang, 32, of El Monte - Wang managed K&P International Logistics LLC, which hires truckers to drive shipping containers from the Port of LA.
• Jin “Mark” Liu, 42, of Irvine - Liu is the owner of K&P International Logistics LLC and also managed the finances of one of the warehouses where contraband was unloaded.
• Dong “Liam” Lin, 31, of Hacienda Heights - Lin controlled and operated one of the contraband warehouses along with Zheng.
• Marck Anthony Gomez, 49, of West Covina - Gomez is the owner and operator of Fannum Trucks LLC, which coordinated the movement of shipping containers from the port.
• Andy Estuardo Castillo Perez, 32, of Apple Valley - Perez is a driver for M4 Transportation Inc., a Carson-based company that carries shipping containers from the port.
• Jesse James Rosales, 41, of Apple Valley - Rosales coordinated truckers from the ports to the warehouses
• Daniel Acosta Hoffman, 41, of Hacienda Heights - Hoffman worked with Rosales to bring cargo containers from the port to warehouses.
• Galvin Biao Liufu, 33, of Ontario - Liufu directed and managed truck drivers to bring the contraband into the warehouses.