Alleged crime gang members accused of global drug smuggling links

By Paul Higgins

Eight alleged members of a crime gang are to stand trial accused of involvement in a sophisticated international drug smuggling operation. 

The defendants consist of six men and two women, including a husband and wife - and all are of Chinese origin.

They face charges relating to the importation of super strength, 'skunk' herbal cannabis and transferring cash to pay for the drug deals. 

Previous courts have heard how the charges arose after the PSNI intercepted a 10 kilo package of cannabis which had been sent by courier from Italy in March 2015.

Officers from the Organised Crime Branch recovered £800,000 of 'skunk' and cash during searches in Belfast, Greenisland, Bangor, Newtownards and Ballywalter. 

In parallel proceedings in Italy, others have been charged by the Carabinieri after anti-mafia police uncovered three cannabis factories with plants valued in excess of £4 million in the Prato and Bologna areas. 

During an earlier hearing at Ards court, a detective revealed that the PSNI estimate that the courier firm used to transport packages from Italy to numerous rental addresses across Counties Down and Antrim, successfully posted 78 packages. 

The officer claimed that with each package weighing 10 kilos, the gang have delivered almost a tonne of super strength 'skunk' cannabis to Northern Ireland.

As the dock was too small to hold all of the defendants, they stood side by side in the body of the court, confirming through an interpreter that they understood their respective charges. 

The defendants are:

Unemployed 31-year-old Jianwen Chen from Egeria Street in Belfast.

He's accused of conspiring to import cannabis, conspiring to supply the class B drug, possessing cannabis and having it with intent to supply and three counts of encouraging or assisting drug offences by renting homes in Ballywalter, Antrim and Hillsborough. 

Unemployed 32-year-old Jaizhu Cai from Wolsely street in Belfast who faces the same charges. 

Jaizhu Cai leaving Newtownards Magistrates court

35-year-old chef Wei Zou who is accused of three counts of importing cannabis, conspiring to import the drug, conspiring to supply it, having £4,000 of criminal property, five charges of transferring criminal property, namely cash amounting to £41,400 and five charges of entering a criminal arrangement to acquire criminal property. 

Wei Zou 

Wenjie He (39) from University Street in Belfast faces charges of conspiring to import and supply cannabis as well as offences of entering a criminal arrangement, acquiring and concealing criminal property. 

Wenjie He

His girlfriend, 26-year-old student Yahan Wang with an address on the Antrim Road in north Belfast.

Yahan Wang

 Once described as playing a "key, trusted, organisational role" in the gang's operations, she faces the most charges - nineteen in all.

They allege that she imported cannabis, conspired to import the drug, conspired to supply it, entering a criminal arrangement, encouraged the offences by renting homes in Belfast, Ards, Bangor, Hillsborough and Lisburn and concealed criminal property. 

University lecturer 37-year-old Yifan Zhao, from Longleat Court in Milton Keynes, is accused of concealing £83,990 of criminal property, two counts of entering a criminal arrangement and transferring criminal property. 

Yifan Zhao

His 36-year-old wife Huimin Guo of the same address faces similar charges. 

Rui Zhao (37), from the Manilla Road in London who also faces charges relating to concealing criminal property and entering an arrangement to acquire criminal property. 

All the charges are alleged to have been committed on various dates between 1 January 2014 and 25 March 2015. 

Rui Zhao

Not before the court today (wed) was 35-year-old Yong He from Queens Walk in Lurgan and while the prosecution withdrew his drug and money laundering charges, that was done "without prejudice" after the court heard the High Court had already issued a warrant for his arrest. 

While none of the alleged facts were opened today (wed) a prosecution lawyer submitted there was a Prima Facie case against the defendants, a submission conceded by the various defence lawyers. 

The court clerk told the amassed defendants that could, if they chose to do so, comment on the charges, give evidence themselves or call witnesses but each of them declined to do so. 

 Freeing each of the defendants on bail, District Judge Mark Hamill returned the case to Downpatrick Crown Court, ordering the defendants to appear there on 30 June for their arraignment. 

He also extended legal aid to allow for senior counsel to be instructed "because of the size of the case".