Alleged Chinese Drug Trafficker Extradited From Mexico Pleads Not Guilty in New York Court

The defendant is allegedly ‘a leader of one of the most prolific drug trafficking and money laundering organizations in the world,’ a prosecutor said.

A wanted poster for Chinese national and alleged fentanyl kingpin Zhang Zhi Dong by the Quintana Roo State's Attorney General Office in Mexico on July 11, 2025. Screenshot via The Epoch Times/Facebook/Quintana Roo State's Attorney General Office

A Chinese national accused of trafficking large quantities of cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl into the United States appeared in Brooklyn federal court on Nov. 19, after being handed over to U.S. authorities following his escape from custody in Mexico and subsequent recapture in Cuba.

Zhang Zhi Dong, 38—who prosecutors said goes by multiple aliases, including “Brother Wang,” “Kun Li Hernandez,” and “Pancho”—is charged with international cocaine distribution conspiracy, international cocaine distribution, cocaine importation conspiracy, cocaine and methamphetamine possession and distribution conspiracy, and money laundering crimes, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of New York announced on Nov. 19.