SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A Sacramento man has been indicted on charges of international money laundering and manufacturing marijuana.
U.S. Attorney McGregor Scott says 38-year-old Daniel Zhu’s charges relate to a scheme by a Chinese-based crime organization to grow marijuana in California illegally.
Authorities earlier this year seized about 100 Northern California homes involved in the crime ring. Officials say the marijuana was being shipped to other U.S. states. Marijuana is legal in California but growing it requires a permit and it cannot be shipped over state lines.
The indictment was unsealed on Oct. 5.
It says he grew marijuana at three locations and was involved in receiving international money wires from China to purchase California real estate used to grow marijuana.
Attorney David Fischer said his client was aware for months that charges were pending.