Tustin Man Sentenced for International Meth Trafficking

News Summary

Hoang Xuan Le, a 43-year-old from Tustin, has been sentenced to over 17 years in federal prison for leading an international methamphetamine trafficking operation. Le conspired with co-defendant Tri Buinguyen to export large quantities of meth to Australia and Papua New Guinea, using clever concealment methods and falsified documents. Both men faced hefty fines and lengthy sentences, reflecting the serious nature of their crimes. Law enforcement continues to investigate additional suspects involved in the operation.

Tustin, California – Hoang Xuan Le, a 43-year-old man from Tustin, has been sentenced to 210 months (over 17 years) in federal prison following his leadership role in an international methamphetamine trafficking operation. The sentencing took place on Monday and was overseen by U.S. District Judge R. Gary Klausner, who also imposed a $50,000 fine on Le for his actions.

In November 2024, Le pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to export controlled substances, admitting his involvement in a drug trafficking scheme that operated between July 2020 and October 2021. During this time, Le conspired with co-defendant Tri Buinguyen, a 40-year-old from Garden Grove, to export large quantities of methamphetamine to countries including Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Details of the Trafficking Operation

The drug trafficking operation involved multiple shipments of meth that were cleverly concealed within products such as car parts and instant noodles. The duo employed falsified manifests and customs documents to avoid detection, utilizing advanced “military-grade” encryption software and messaging apps to coordinate their shipments. They communicated under fake names and email addresses to further evade law enforcement scrutiny.

Le admitted to direct oversight of at least two significant narcotics shipments intended for the Indo-Pacific region. One notable shipment in August 2020 concealed nearly 66.1 pounds (30 kilograms) of methamphetamine within metal boxes bound for Australia. Another shipment, which took place between April 2021 and September 2021, involved approximately 330.7 pounds (150 kilograms) of meth hidden in food storage buckets sent to Papua New Guinea. Both shipments were ultimately intercepted by law enforcement authorities.

Co-defendant Sentencing and Ongoing Investigation

Le’s co-defendant, Tri Buinguyen, was sentenced to 15 years in federal prison and fined $50,000 for his involvement in the drug trafficking conspiracy. He also pleaded guilty in November 2024 and admitted to his participation in additional meth shipments directed toward New Zealand, which were likewise intercepted by authorities.

In addition to Le and Buinguyen, two other men, Trung Buinguyen, 41, and Narongsak Champy, 29, have been charged with conspiracy to export controlled substances and conspiracy to distribute controlled substances. Law enforcement is actively seeking their apprehension as part of the broader investigation.

Collaborative Law Enforcement Efforts

The investigation into this international meth trafficking operation involved a collaborative effort among various agencies. Key participants included Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the United States Postal Service Inspection Service, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, as well as partners from the Australian Federal Police and the New Zealand Customs Service. This multi-agency approach emphasized the ongoing commitment to combatting drug trafficking and holding offenders accountable.

Background on Meth Trafficking

Methamphetamine is a powerful and addictive stimulant that poses significant public health risks. As authorities continue to clamp down on illegal drug operations, federal prosecutions of individuals involved in trafficking are a crucial part of the strategy to deter drug-related crime and protect communities. The lengthy sentences handed down to Le and Buinguyen reflect the serious nature of their crimes and the commitment of law enforcement to address this issue on an international scale.

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Additional Resources

• Orange County Register
• Hoodline
• Fox59
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Methamphetamine
• ABC7
• Google Search: Drug Trafficking