Federal prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of bitcoin tied to a synthetic drug importation case involving Binance records, blockchain tracing, and cooperation with Chinese authorities. Investigators said the seized cryptocurrency was linked to accounts and payments connected to alleged drug shipments routed through Georgia.
The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on May 20, 2026, that Chinese national Wei Gong, also known as David Gong, was arrested in China after investigators tied him to a synthetic drug importation case involving bitcoin payments, Binance records, and blockchain tracing. Prosecutors unsealed charges accusing Gong of importing synthetic cathinones into Georgia and pursuing larger shipments through the Port of Savannah.
The DOJ stated:
“The United States is seeking forfeiture of cryptocurrency seized during the investigation through both the criminal indictment and a recently unsealed civil forfeiture case.”
Federal investigators tied 1.00001188 bitcoin to the government’s civil forfeiture action through a complaint filed on April 15, 2026. The complaint says the BTC was seized from Binance account number 53514319, which investigators identified as controlled by Gong. Federal agents obtained a seizure warrant on Dec. 19, 2023. Binance transferred the bitcoin to the Drug Enforcement Administration in March and April 2024. The filing says the account used an email address, phone number, and Chinese identification documents linked to Gong.
