Cambodian Authorities Deport Chinese National Linked to Major Criminal Operations
Cambodian authorities have apprehended and deported three Chinese nationals, including Chen Zhi, the 38-year-old chairman of the Prince Group. The operation, which took place on the 6th of the month, was aimed at dismantling a sophisticated transnational criminal network. Chen Zhi, identified as a key figure in a large-scale criminal enterprise operating within Cambodia, was subsequently sent back to China.
The Cambodian Ministry of the Interior released a statement on the day of the deportations, confirming the arrests of Chen Zhi, alongside Xu Jiliang and Xiao Jihu. The ministry emphasized that the operation was a decisive step in its ongoing efforts to eradicate transnational criminal activities. It was also revealed that Chen Zhi’s Cambodian citizenship had been officially revoked through a royal decree issued in December of the previous year, underscoring his detachment from the nation he was accused of exploiting.
The Prince Group and its chairman, Chen Zhi, have previously faced international scrutiny. In October of the preceding year, both the United States and the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the entity and its leader. These sanctions were levied on the grounds that the Prince Group was allegedly involved in operating a criminal complex, not only within Cambodia but also in other global locations. The accusations included extorting vast sums of money from victims worldwide and subjecting trafficked workers to inhumane conditions, including torture.
Further compounding these international pressures, the South Korean government also implemented its own set of independent sanctions in November of the same year. These measures specifically targeted the Prince Group, Chairman Chen Zhi himself, along with an additional 15 individuals and 132 organizations associated with the group’s operations.
Chen Zhi, who originally hails from China, is reported to have acquired Cambodian citizenship at some point. This newfound status, it is alleged, facilitated his expansion of business interests, often through close ties with influential political circles. His alleged involvement in operating a large-scale fraudulent criminal complex is believed to be the source of his considerable wealth. Reports from Radio Free Asia (RFA) suggest that Chinese authorities consider the Prince Group a significant transnational criminal organization, estimating its illicit profits to be at least 5 billion yuan, which is equivalent to approximately 1 trillion Korean won. This extensive financial illicit gain highlights the scale and impact of the alleged criminal enterprise.
The deportation of Chen Zhi and his alleged associates marks a significant development in the international fight against organized crime, particularly concerning operations that exploit national borders and vulnerable individuals for financial gain. The Cambodian government’s decisive action, coupled with prior international sanctions, signals a stronger stance against such illicit activities.
