Pubdate: Wed, 04 Sep 2002
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2002, Canoe Limited Partnership.
Contact:  http://www.fyitoronto.com/torsun.shtml
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Sam Pazzano, Courts Bureau
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/heroin.htm (Heroin)

JUDGE: SON LED ASTRAY BY PUSHERS

A standout university student who admitted to smuggling nearly 75 kilos of 
heroin and "Special K"-type drugs -- worth $80 million -- concealed in 
Chinese duck eggs was sentenced to time served.

Justice Wailan Low said "Chris" Zhi Yong Huang, 23, a top student at 
Wilfrid Laurier University, was led into the operation by his parents. The 
judge, who is also of Chinese dissent, said she understands how his culture 
created a "sense of filial duty." Huang, who worked weekends at the family 
business, a Scarborough warehouse, shows potential for rehabilitation, Low 
said.

The scheme was uncovered in an August 2000 bust -- the second-largest drug 
seizure to date -- resulting from a probe involving investigators from 
Toronto, Vancouver, the RCMP, Hong Kong and China.

Assets Seized

Ottawa also seized between $2.5 million and $3 million in cash and assets, 
including a $200,000 Alton Towers Circle condo.

Huang's mother, Wei Hong Son, 51, pleaded guilty in May to conspiracy to 
import 57 kilos of heroin and 17 kilos of "crystal meth" and was sentenced 
to 17 years. She was given five years' credit for time served.

"She was the liaison and conduit to the local distributors and was 
instrumental to the importation from Huang Pu, China," Crown attorney 
Andrew Sabbadini said.

Her son, pleaded guilty to importing the drugs and possession of the mock 
Ecstasy drug -- Special K -- for the purpose of trafficking. The judge gave 
him triple credit for the two years he spent in custody.

Son and her husband, Rui Huan Huang, 51, -- wanted on a Canada-wide warrant 
and believed to be in China -- ran a food importation business as a front 
for the drug-smuggling operation, Sabbadini said.
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