U.S. Ambassador To Mexico Celebrates Extradition Of Chinese Citizen Linked To Jalisco Cartel: ‘Sincere Gratitude’

U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson celebrated the extradition of Zhi Dong Zhang, a Chinese citizen alleged to be a top operative for the Jalisco Cartel, after his detention by Cuban authorities.

“Well done! When nations work together it’s the people to benefit. Great work from all involved in the mission. Our sincere gratitude,” Johnson said in a social media post.

Mexico’s top security official, Omar Garcia Harfuch, said the man will be extradited to the U.S. following his apprehension. He stands accused of running an international fentanyl and cocaine trafficking network after his escape from custody in Mexico earlier this year.

Also known as “Brother Wang,” Zhi Dong Zhang had been sought by U.S. authorities on charges of drug trafficking and money laundering, as Al Jazeera reports.

Zhang was first indicted in federal court in Atlanta in 2022, accused of directing a transnational network that trafficked large quantities of cocaine and fentanyl into the United States through distribution hubs in Atlanta and Los Angeles. Prosecutors allege millions of dollars in drug proceeds were collected in U.S. stash houses and transferred to accounts Zhang could access from Mexico.

Mexican authorities arrested Zhang in Mexico City in October 2024 at the request of the U.S. government. A judge later granted him house arrest, from which he escaped in July 2025 despite being under military guard.

Security officials quoted by El País described Zhang as “a major international money laundering operator” who established “connections with other cartels for the transfer of fentanyl from China to Central America, South America, Europe, and the United States.” He is alleged to have maintained ties with Mexico’s Sinaloa and Jalisco New Generation cartels.