‘Brother Wang,’ Accused of Being Drug Cartel Fixer, Is Arrested in Cuba

New York Times - WorldCenter-LeftEN 4 min read 100% complete by Paulina VillegasOctober 23, 2025 at 08:06 PM

AI Summary

long article 4 min

Zhi Dong Zhang, a Chinese national known as "Brother Wang," has been arrested in Cuba after escaping house arrest in Mexico this summer. He is accused of supplying fentanyl to cartels from China and smuggling cocaine and fentanyl across the US border by land and air. Zhang linked some of Mexico's most powerful cartels with drug-making chemicals, ran stash houses packed with drugs throughout the United States, and laundered millions in cash using dozens of bank accounts. He was initially held under house arrest after being accused of helping lead a vast criminal network. His escape raised questions about security lapses and potential corruption in Mexico. Zhang is now facing extradition to the US, where he faces drug trafficking charges.

Key Topics & Entities

US ×260% China ×370% Mexico ×580% Zhi Dong Zhang ×9100%

Keywords

drug cartel 90% cartel broker 90% cartel network 90% mexico-us cooperation 80% fentanyl 80% drug trafficking 80% house arrest 70% money laundering 70% us-mexico border 60% china-us relations 60%