Overview
- Mexico’s national security minister said Thursday that Zhang was handed over to U.S. authorities and thanked Cuba for its cooperation in the recapture and transfer.
- Zhang was arrested in Cuba after fleeing Mexican house arrest on July 11, with officials and reports saying he traveled on false documents and was previously turned back from Russia.
- U.S. court filings allege Zhang, known as “Brother Wang,” coordinated shipments that included more than 1,000 kg of cocaine and 1,800 kg of fentanyl and ran a laundering network tied to roughly 150 shell companies and 170 bank accounts.
- He was first arrested in Mexico City in October 2024 on a U.S. request, then moved to house arrest before escaping under military guard, prompting an Interpol notice and criticism of the judge who approved the move.
- Zhang will face existing federal indictments in Atlanta, while Washington presses Mexico and China on fentanyl and Beijing has said it is not aware of the case’s details.