Quarter-million dollars of gold seized, two arrested

VAN ZANDT COUNTY, Texas — Two Chinese nationals were arrested with $250,000 worth of gold bars after a traffic stop on I-20 on Thursday. Our news partners at KETK report that the arrests stemmed from a traffic stop in Wills Point. The driver was identified as 25-year-old Chen, Weijian. Due to a language barrier, Hughes asked Chen to go to his patrol vehicle and speak to him via a translation app. During an interview, Wills Point PD Sgt. Charlie Hughes reported that he had reason to suspect criminal activity. Chen claimed he was heading to Dallas and also claimed he went to Florida to “play.” 46-year-old Lin Wenqiang, the passenger in the vehicle, gave consent to a search but seemed hesitant. A search then revealed a bag located behind the driver’s seat on the floorboard.

Officials found multiple pieces of gold bullion bars estimated to value between $200,000 and $250,000. Hughes contacted U.S. Homeland Security who reviewed immigration records of Chen and Lin and learned both had entered the country illegally. Chen and Lin have been charged with money laundering from $150,00 to $300,000 and are being held on $100,000 bond at the Van Zandt County Jail.