Thaindian News

MANHATTAN, NEW YORK (BNO NEWS) – One of the leaders of a violent criminal organization of Chinatown in Manhattan, New York pleaded guilty to various charges, including racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, extortion, assaults in aid of racketeering, and operating illegal gambling businesses, U.S. District Attorney Preet Bharara announced on Monday.

Wen Ming Lin, 38, also known as “Yi Mai,” was one of the leaders of the Banya Organization, called after the Chinese village from which many members of the organization came from. Co-defendant, Zhau Lin, 32, aka “Big Flower,” also pleaded guilty to charges of racketeering, racketeering conspiracy, and extortion.

Eleven members of this criminal organization have previously pleaded guilty to similar charges. The Banya Organization operated in the Chinatown section of Manhattan and the Flushing section of Queens. Its members preserved power, territory, and financial profits by controlling both illegal and legitimate businesses, through the use of intimidation, threats of violence, and assaults using hammers and other weapons.

Wen Ming Lin and Zhau Lin, were involved in the extortion of two owners of two interstate bus companies operating from Chinatown. Wen Ming Lin assaulted employees from both companies in furtherance of the extortion operations.

When convicted, Wen Ming Lin faces a maximum penalty of 145 years in prison. Zhau Lin faces a maximum sentence of 100 years’ imprisonment.