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 News Around the Republic of Mexico | July 2007 
Mexico to Keep Millions Seized Off Chinese-Born Businessman
 DPA
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| | When Mexican agents raided his Mediterranean-style mansion in the posh Las Lomas de Chapultepec neighborhood in March, they discovered $205 million in U.S. currency. All cash. Mostly $100 bills. |
Mexico City - The Mexican government will keep 205 million dollars seized from a Chinese-born Mexican businessman accused of drug trafficking and money laundering, the office of the attorney general said Wednesday. The authorities said the funds would be used in the areas of health and justice as nobody claimed the money within a 90-day deadline.
"The goods in question have been abandoned in favour of the federal government," a statement from the office said.
An arrest warrant has been issued by Mexican authorities for Zhenli Ye Gon, who remains at large and is believed to have fled to the United States.
Mexico has asked the United States to arrest Zhenli and have him extradited over the illegal importation into Mexico of 50 tonnes de pseudoephedrine to be used in the manufacture of synthetic drugs.
However, Zhenli, who became a Mexican citizen in 2003, denies any role in illegal activities.
The 205 million dollars were found in Zhenli's house in May. He claims the chemicals he bought were legally obtained and says two armed men linked to the ruling party in Mexico forced him - by threatening him and his family - to keep the money before the Mexican presidential election of July 2006.
The cash, according to Zhenli, was to be used to destabilize the Mexican government in case the conservative National Action Party (PAN) of current President Felipe Calderon did not win the election. |
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