MARKHAM MEN CHARGED IN INTERNATIONAL DRUG BUST

Two York Region men were charged yesterday as part of the dismantling of a
North America-wide drug network.

Tse Wei Kuen, 50, was charged with conspiracy to traffic a drug and Jeffrey
Fung, 33, was charged with producing drugs and conspiracy to produce and
traffic a drug. Both are from Markham.

Police believe a network was responsible for the production of ecstasy and
marijuana in Canada, distribution of these drugs in the United States and
laundering of illicit funds back in Canada and Vietnam.

Early yesterday morning, police across the continent conducted a series of
co-ordinated arrests and searches.

Throughout the investigation, which dates back to 2001, other arrests and
seizures were made.

In the Toronto area, three ecstasy labs in residential areas were
dismantled in the summer of 2003 and police seized 377,000 pills and 120 kg
of ecstasy powder worth more than $33 million. Equipment capable of
producing more than 250,000 pills worth $6 million each day was also seized.

At the same time, two marijuana grow operations were dismantled in Toronto
neighbourhoods and another $500,000 in drugs seized.

The man police accuse of running the network, Ze Wai Wong, 46, faces drug
charges. Mr. Wong, who has no status in Canada, faces immigration
proceedings in addition to criminal charges.