Deadly shooting of alleged money launderer could impact on-going cases

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He said because other parties were named along with Zhu in the civil forfeiture proceedings “I don’t anticipate that Mr. Zhu’s death will necessarily preclude further litigation, as long as the director continues to pursue his claim.”

“But given the circumstances, my continued involvement in the case remains uncertain,” Song said.

Jin, who was struck in the face by the shooter as he sat inside the restaurant, has already been released from hospital.

Despite a rash of gang-related shootings across the Lower Mainland over the last two weeks, Jang said Zhu’s murder is not believed to be linked to the other incidents.

“There is nothing so far to suggest this incident is connected to the ongoing Lower Mainland gang conflict or any of the other recent acts of violence,” he said.

Jang also said IHIT will be working with the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit and the RCMP’s Federal Policing branch “to identify those responsible.”

CFSEU conducted an investigation dubbed E-Nationalize into illegal casinos allegedly operated by Jin, leading to his arrest three years ago. The B.C. Prosecution Service continues to review the file, though no charges have been laid yet.

And the RCMP’s Federal Policing branch was in charge of E-Pirate, which found that Zhu allegedly laundered more than $200 million a year through Silver International.

In court filings, the civil forfeiture office alleged that Zhu laundered cash using the so-called Vancouver model, where Chinese gambling high-rollers picked up cash from the underground bank that came from drug-trafficking.

A police affidavit alleged cellphone data indicated Zhu and Qin had access to cash pools in numerous other locations, aside from China, including Mexico City and Bogota, Colombia.

The civil forfeiture suits against Jin allege he has been involved in large-scale money laundering, illegal gambling and loan sharking since 2012, including a link to 140 casino transactions over three years totalling $23,501,456.

kbolan@postmedia.com

ghoekstra@postmedia.com