Cash is kingZhenli Ye Gon, a Chinese pharmaceutical executive millionaire hit the headlines in March 2007 with a story worthy of a Hollywood script...his home in Mexico was raided and police found $207 million in cash stashed behind fake walls and other hideout spots. He disappeared into the US and left his wife and family in Mexico.
Arrested in Washington D.C.
Ye Gon was arrested on July 23 in the Washington area where he had come to consult with his lawyers. U.S. authorities charge that the money found in Mexico was the largest seizure of drug proceeds in history and that Ye Gon was well on his way to establishing himself as the leading meth supplier to U.S. dealers.
Was he guilty of supplying the key ingredients for illegal methamphetamine production (since 2005) and conspiring to import tons into the States as the American DEA claim? Or was he being framed to protect corrupt Mexican officials as Ye Gon claims in his defense?
Ye Gon's lawyers have always stated that he is the victim of a set-up by Mexican officials who have fabricated evidence against him to hide the fact that Mexico's ruling party had forced him to hide an illegal presidential slush fund. Do you buy that? There are enough Mexicans who doubt the integrity of their government to believe Ye Gon's version of events.
A year later
We'll soon find out more details about this case which U.S. authorities say could drag on for a year. Why so long? The investigation involves the US, Mexican, Chinese, German and Swiss authorities. Also the 'so-called' evidence is, ummm, missing! Well, the US authorities acknowledge that the key evidence isn't in its possession. In fact, the money seized has been recirculated into the Mexican financial system!? And, the 19 tons of chemicals confiscated in December 2006 by the Mexicans have been destroyed! Hmmm. Fishy?
"To say this case has political overtones is to greatly understate the situation," said lead defense attorney Martin F. McMahon. "Most of the so-called evidence has been destroyed."
Ye Gon's defense lawyers added: "there is something obviously wrong when the evidence cited so often by authorities is no longer available."
I concur. But, as we know guilt vs. proof are different things. I wonder if Ye Gon did this even if there's a lack of evidence in hand?
