Federal prosecutors in Manhattan say they cut short an audacious plan to build an industrial-scale methamphetamine factory that, if fully operational, could have cranked out hundreds of kilograms of meth a day. An indictment unsealed Monday charges two Chinese nationals, Wenfeng Cui, 41, and Fan Pang, 26, with conspiring to traffic meth and to import precursor chemicals after what authorities describe as a nearly year-long effort to design, build and launch the machinery. Officials say the men were arrested in New York City on February 2, 2026, and remain detained while they await trial.
In a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York, prosecutors allege the defendants produced detailed blueprints, equipment lists and a nearly 5,000-word instruction manual that walked through both the chemical synthesis and the technological operation of the factory. The office says CUI and PANG are charged with conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, conspiracy to import methamphetamine precursor chemicals with intent to manufacture narcotics, and importation of precursor chemicals.
Prosecutors' description of the operation
U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton put it starkly: “As alleged, the defendants worked with chemists and engineers to develop and deploy a sophisticated technology for the industrial production of methamphetamine capable of producing 400 kilograms of 'meth' every day.” The Indictment attached to the announcement lays out prototype machines, progress photos and communications in which the defendants allegedly offered training, parts and ongoing technical support to overseas buyers. Investigators say confidential sources directed by the Drug Enforcement Administration recorded meetings and calls where the defendants discussed fabrication and delivery plans.
International seizure and shipments
According to prosecutors, the full production line was fabricated in China, packed into multiple shipping containers at a port in Shanghai and, when it left that port, measured nearly 200 cubic meters and more than 21,120 kilograms in total. Law enforcement officials in a European country later seized the containers, and prosecutors publicly thanked partner agencies in Poland and Germany for their help. The announcement also appeared on the SDNY's account on X.
Court process and charges
Both defendants were initially charged by criminal complaint and appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge Gabriel W. Gorenstein, who ordered them detained pending trial. The case is assigned to U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield. The indictment includes counts that carry maximum statutory penalties of up to life in prison for the conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine charge and up to 20 years for the importation counts, although any eventual sentence would be determined by a judge after conviction and a formal sentencing proceeding.
Why it matters
Federal law enforcement officials say the case reflects a broader shift in the drug trade: synthetic stimulants like methamphetamine are increasingly produced and moved through transnational supply chains that rely on precursor chemicals and large-scale industrial setups. The DEA's National Drug Threat Assessment describes how cartel networks and overseas suppliers have scaled up production of synthetic drugs, heightening the risks to communities across the country.
The charges are allegations, and the defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty in court. The SDNY press release lists a media contact at (212) 637-2600 for additional information.
