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Between February 2015 and December 2018, the defendants allegedly conspired to ship multiple kilogram quantities of marijuana by tractor trailer from California and Washington State to Queens and elsewhere for distribution.
By Forum Staff
Two men have been arrested for their alleged roles in a marijuana trafficking conspiracy that saw more than 100,000 pounds of pot, marijuana oil, and drug paraphernalia by tractor trailer from Califormia and Washington State to Queens, federal prosecutors announced last week.
A criminal complaint has been unsealed in Brooklyn federal court charging Kevin Lau, Kenneth Tam, and Jack Thai with conspiracy to distribute, and possession with intent to distribute, large quantities of marijuana. Thai was arrested on July 24 in Las Vegas; he was released on a $50,000 bond. Tam was released on a $500,000 bond. Lau is currently a fugitive, officials noted.
According to charging documents, between February 2015 and December 2018, the defendants allegedly conspired to ship multiple kilogram quantities of marijuana by tractor trailer from California and Washington State to Queens and elsewhere for distribution. The shipping crates used to transport the marijuana were falsely labeled as containing furniture, clothing and other merchandise. Lau’s co-conspirators stored the crates in commercial facilities and residences in Queens and other locations in New York City. The cash proceeds of the marijuana were then smuggled back to the West Coast concealed in luggage on commercial airlines.
During the investigation, Homeland Security Investigations agents seized approximately $500,000 in cash from members of the conspiracy. Based on records of more than 200 marijuana shipments and the seizures of marijuana by law enforcement, HSI estimates that the defendants transported more than 100,000 pounds of marijuana, marijuana oil, and drug paraphernalia.
If convicted, the defendants face a mandatory minimum of 10 years’ imprisonment, and up to life in prison.
