A Chinese national living illegally in the United States has been charged with involvement in an international drug trafficking operation that allegedly moved large amounts of methamphetamine from Mexico into the U.S. and onward to other countries, including New Zealand.
Court documents state that Zukai He, 42, entered the country unlawfully in 2017 and was under an order of removal since September 2024. Authorities allege that while residing in the U.S., He used stolen personal information from a California resident to open an account at a virtual mailbox service (VMS) located in Wasilla, Alaska.
In January 2024, law enforcement intercepted two packages sent to this fraudulent VMS account which were destined for New Zealand. After obtaining federal search warrants, officials discovered nearly three kilograms of methamphetamine hidden inside a heat transfer stamping machine and a 3D printer.
Further investigation revealed that in May 2024, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol seized four parcels sent from Phoenix, Arizona to New Zealand; each contained over one kilogram of methamphetamine. A fifth similar parcel was also intercepted by CBP containing more than one kilogram of the drug.
Authorities identified Zukai He as the person who mailed these parcels. In total, more than ten kilograms of methamphetamine were seized during the investigation.
On September 8, 2025, federal agents executed a search warrant at He’s residence in California where he was arrested. The search led to the seizure of fourteen cell phones, two laptops, twenty-five point-of-sale systems, over six kilograms of a substance resembling methamphetamine, $13,000 in cash and various financial records. These records reportedly included details about nine suspected shell or front companies registered across California, Colorado, Maryland and New York under He’s name or those whose identities had allegedly been stolen.
He is facing one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine. He remains in federal custody pending his initial court appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge for the District of Alaska. If convicted on these charges he could face up to forty years in prison; sentencing will be determined by a federal judge according to U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other legal factors.
“U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman of the District of Alaska, Inspector in Charge Anthony Galetti of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Seattle Division Office and Special Agent in Charge David Reames of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Seattle Field Division made the announcement.”
The case is being investigated by agents from multiple agencies including: The U.S. Postal Inspection Service Anchorage Domicile; DEA Seattle Field Division and Anchorage District Office; with support from Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Assistant U.S. Attorneys Stephan Collins and Alana Weber are leading prosecution efforts.
This action is part of Operation Take Back America (https://www.justice.gov/dag/media/1393746/dl?inline), a Department of Justice initiative aimed at combating illegal immigration as well as dismantling cartels and transnational criminal organizations through coordinated law enforcement efforts such as those provided by OCDETFs and Project Safe Neighborhoods.
Authorities note that “a criminal complaint is merely an allegation, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.”
