U.S. INDICTS CHINESE-MEXICAN BUSINESSMAN ON DRUG CHARGES

WASHINGTON - A federal grand jury indicted a Chinese-Mexican businessman
Thursday on charges he conspired to help in the production of
methamphetamines destined for the United States.

Zhenli Ye Gon, in whose Mexico City mansion authorities found $207 million
in money allegedly tied to drugs, was part of an international conspiracy
that operated in the U.S., Mexico and El Salvador, according to a one-count
indictment that was filed in U.S. District Court in Washington.

Ye Gon, owner of a pharmaceutical company, also is wanted by Mexican
authorities on drug-trafficking, organized crime and weapons charges. He
was arrested in the Washington area on Monday.

Prosecutors said Ye Gon helped divert huge quantities of chemicals needed
to manufacture methamphetamines to groups that actually made the drug and
shipped it into the United States.

He could face up to life in prison if convicted, Justice Department
spokeswoman Jaclyn Lesch said. Ye Gon has no prior criminal record.

He also could have to forfeit some of the millions of dollars in cash,
goods and property that prosecutors believe Ye Gon is holding in his country.

Martin McMahon, one of Ye Gon's Washington-based lawyers, has said his
client has no connection to illegal drugs. McMahon did not immediately
return a telephone call Thursday.

The indictment makes it much less likely that Ye Gon will face deportation
to Mexico any time soon. McMahon has said the Chinese-born Ye Gon is the
victim of Mexican political corruption and could not get a fair trial in
his adopted home.

U.S. authorities typically do not entertain extradition requests until they
have completed a criminal prosecution, and, in the event of a conviction,
the defendant has served his sentence.

In court papers filed in Nevada, Ye Gon's mistress told authorities she
received up to $1.5 million from him that she used to buy a pricey home,
jewelry, luxury cars and factory equipment.

Michelle Wong, a 26-year-old former casino host, said Ye Gon is the father
of her 17-month-old son. Wong is accused in a criminal complaint of helping
Ye Gon launder drug money. She was arrested Monday in Las Vegas and ordered
transferred to Washington.

Ye Gon lost more than $125 million gambling in Las Vegas since 2004,
authorities said. The Venetian hotel-casino, on of Ye Gon's favorite
resorts, gave him a Rolls-Royce, he told the Associated Press in a recent
interview.

The complaint against Wong said Ye Gon flew aboard a private jet provided
by The Venetian in March to Orange County, Calif., after his last trip to
Las Vegas.