No Charges for Men Caught with $250K in Gold Bars During Traffic Stop, But Authorities Seize Their Treasure

WILLS POINT, Texas — Authorities have confirmed that two Chinese nationals, arrested on Interstate 20 while transporting approximately $250,000 in gold bars, will not face money laundering charges. Van Zandt County District Attorney Tonda Curry stated on Monday that Weijian Chen, 25, and Wenqiang Lin, 46, have been handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) due to their illegal status in the United States.

The police encounter occurred in early August when a Wills Point officer stopped the men for tailgating. Upon inspection, a drug-detection dog alerted the officer, leading to the discovery of a backpack containing 19 gold bars instead of illegal substances.

Initially, Curry planned to pursue money laundering charges against the suspects, but she later retracted that statement, citing difficulties in establishing the origin of the money linked to the gold. “We have to be able to prove what that criminal activity was,” she explained, noting the challenges presented by a routine traffic stop. Initially believed to be connected to drug activities, the gold may instead be tied to a group engaging in investment scams targeting elderly individuals.

Curry suspects that Chen and Lin were likely mules rather than orchestrators of the alleged scheme. ICE has since taken them into federal custody, and deportation is anticipated due to their immigration status. When questioned, the two men claimed the gold did not belong to them, complicating the situation further. “It’s not theirs, so he can’t give it back to them,” Curry clarified.

The case transitioned from criminal to civil after the county reached a settlement last month. As part of this agreement, the defendants’ lawyers were compensated with gold, receiving 12 ounces each. The county plans to sell the remaining gold, with approximately $195,000 expected in proceeds. State law dictates the allocation of these funds, mandating that 70% go to the Wills Point police.

Curry expressed that the funds will primarily be used for new vehicles for law enforcement personnel, emphasizing the relief it brings to taxpayers in a small county. “Why should they be able to profit off of it? Why should it not go back into fighting crime in our communities?” she stated, reinforcing her commitment to utilizing the proceeds effectively.