Man with alleged links to Triads to stand trial over money laundering

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A man with alleged links to the notorious Chinese Triad organisation is to stand trial, accused of moving more than £200,000 money for the criminal gang.

Wen Zyang, 23, appeared before the Belfast Magistrates’ Court on 13 August 2013, accused of a total of nine charges, including possessing, transferring and concealing criminal property and having false identity documents.

A criminal investigation started into the activities of Mr Zyang when the Belfast police were tipped off last year that Mr Zyang was moving large amounts of money in the city. This criminal investigation found that the man had moved – between December 2012 and March 2013 – over £200,000 in cash, including moving separate cash sums of £60,000, £30,000, £50,000 and £70,000. It was alleged at court that Mr Zyang has ties to the criminal Chinese Triad organisation and that he may have been moving the money at the request of the gang.

At a previous hearing at the Belfast Magistrates Court prosecutors claimed that the case is linked to attempts by a Chinese Triad gang to use the Belfast postal system to launder and transfer large amounts of money. Mr Zyang apparently refused to give evidence or call witnesses for the hearing and District Judge Bagnall ruled that Mr Zyang has a case to answer. He will therefore return to the Belfast Crown Court at a future date and will stand trial on the nine charges. Mr Zyang was apparently remanded back into custody after the latest hearing and it is not known whether he can or will attempt to make bail.

Redmans Solicitors are settlement agreement solicitors and employment law solicitors based in London.