CHARLOTTE, NC — A 27-year-old Charlotte man accused of using drug money to buy several homes and luxury cars will spend the next nine years in prison.
Shi Yun Zhou was sentenced in federal court on Wednesday for charges that included drug trafficking conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy.
In 2015, investigators started looking into a Drug Trafficking Organization (DTO) that was reportedly moving large quantities of marijuana and other narcotics between Charlotte and California. Court records say Zhou was involved in the DTO from 2013 to 2018, and engaged in multiple drug trafficking and money laundering activities.
During court proceedings, Zhou confessed to trafficking more than 770 kilograms (nearly 1,700 pounds) of marijuana and 500 grams of cocaine in and around Mecklenburg County.
Proceeds from the crimes were then reportedly used to buy several homes and luxury vehicles.
Zhou was arrested on April 3, 2018 after authorities raided one of his homes and seized narcotics, three firearms, ammo, a digital scale, drug paraphernalia and more than $200,000 in cash. Later that month, Zhou pleaded guilty to charges of drug trafficking conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute cocaine.
In addition to the nine years in prison, Zhou was also sentenced to four years of supervised release.
