Arrest Near Los Angeles Warehouse
A Southern California man has been arrested by federal authorities on charges of attempting to ship more than 2,205 pounds (1,000 kilograms) of methamphetamine to Australia. Jing Tang Li, 32, was taken into custody Thursday near a warehouse in South El Monte, about 12 miles east of Los Angeles.
Massive Drug Shipment Discovered
Li is facing several charges, including distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and exportation of controlled substances. According to court documents, U.S. customs officers uncovered the illegal shipments between February and December of last year. The drugs were concealed in packages labeled as carpets, textiles, furniture, wheel hub testing equipment, and a casting machine, all bound for Australia.
Investigation and Arrest
The investigation linked Li to the shipments, leading to his arrest as he was driving near the South El Monte warehouse. Authorities reportedly found shipping labels, scales, and additional packages of methamphetamine in his possession. Li made his first court appearance on Friday in downtown Los Angeles.
Potential Sentencing
If convicted, Li faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years in prison. “Being a mere 3 hours north of the busiest land border crossing in the Western Hemisphere has made Los Angeles a critical cog in the transnational narcotics trafficking trade,” said Eddy Wang, a Homeland Security Investigations agent, in a news release.
