Feds say a Southern California man tried to ship more than 2,000 pounds of meth to Australia

A San Gabriel Valley man has been arrested on suspicion of attempting to ship more than 2,000 pounds — a metric ton — of methamphetamine to Australia last year, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office of the Central District of California.

Jing Tang Li, 32, of El Monte is facing federal charges for distribution of and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute controlled substances, exportation of controlled substances and attempt and conspiracy to export controlled substances.

He’s expected to make his first court appearance in downtown Los Angeles on Friday. He was arrested in South El Monte on Thursday.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office said that U.S. customs officers inspected seven shipping containers that were set to be sent to Australia between February 2023 to December 2023. The containers were falsely listed as carpets and textiles, furniture, wheel hub testing equipment and a casting machine.

Embedded in the products was 2,205 pounds of meth.

“Dangerous drugs such as methamphetamine devastate our community,” said United States Attorney Martin Estrada. “We see the misery brought by highly addictive drugs on our streets every day. The massive amount of methamphetamine seized in this case shows how brazen drug traffickers have become and why it is imperative that we use our resources to hold these criminals responsible.” 

It’s unknown how law enforcement traced the illegal drugs to Li, but he was arrested after being spotted driving near a South El Monte warehouse where a robbery was reported during the early morning of Thursday.

A conviction in the case would send Yi to federal prison for a minimum of 10 years, and for as long as a life sentence.