Huatao Yao owns Wuhan Shuokang Biological Technology Ltd., or “SK Biotech,” a People’s Republic of China based chemical company that also clandestinely sells fentanyl precursor chemicals to drug traffickers in Mexico. Huatao Yao and his employees frequently ship fentanyl precursor chemicals to Mexico, including to Mazatlán, a Sinaloa Cartel-controlled city located in Sinaloa, in exchange for payments in cryptocurrency or via cross-border bank transfers. According to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the Sinaloa Cartel is largely responsible for the massive influx of fentanyl into the U.S. over the past several years.
Approximately February 9, 2023, for example, Yao inquired of a fentanyl precursor chemical purchaser whether certain fentanyl precursor chemicals being shipped to New York City were eventually going to be shipped to Mexico. When the purchaser confirmed, Yao noted that he more typically sent these chemicals to Mexico through Germany.
On April 4, 2023, a federal grand jury in the Southern District of New York returned an indictment against Huatao Yao and others charging them with Fentanyl Importation Conspiracy, Fentanyl Trafficking Conspiracy, and Money Laundering Conspiracy.
The U.S. Department of State is offering a REWARD OF UP TO $1 MILLION for information leading to the arrest and/or conviction of Huatao Yao.
If you have information, please contact the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration via email at ChapitosTips@dea.gov or via WhatsApp at +1 202-743-1066. If you are located outside of the U.S., you may also visit the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. If in the U.S., you can contact the local DEA office in your city.
ALL IDENTITIES ARE KEPT STRICTLY CONFIDENTIAL.
Government officials and employees are not eligible for rewards.