https://dayton247now.com/news/local/fbi-announces-international-drug-conspiracy-two-from-tipp-city-indicted

CINCINNATI, Ohio (WKEF) - The FBI has released details on what they are calling an international drug and money laundering conspiracy.

The US Grand Jury has indicted the China-based Guangzhou Tengyue Chemical Company, along with 3 other Chinese organizations, 22 Chinese nationals, and 3 US citizens, two of which are from Tipp City.

In a news conference on Wednesday, FBI Director Kash Patel says the China-based companies, employees, and their US co-conspirators have been illegally exporting substances to US drug traffickers for them to use as mixing agents.

Special Agent in Charge Elena Iatarola says these mixing agents are used to increase the yield and potency of fentanyl distributed in the US.

Iatarola says the China-based companies have been posing as legitimate pharmaceutical companies to sell these mixing agents to US traffickers over the internet.

US attorney for the Southern District of Ohio Dominick Gerace says that three US citizens, Eric Michael Payne, Auriyon Tresean Rayford, and Ciandrea Bryne Davis, knowingly received these mixing agents with the intent to increase their own yield and sales of fentanyl.

Gerace goes on to say those three US individuals will all be arraigned in the coming days.

As for the Chinese nationals mentioned in the indictment, Gerace says that prosecuting them will be difficult since the US has no extradition with China.

However, he says they will be putting red notices on those individuals, so if they ever leave China, the US will be notified.

This is an ongoing story, we will bring you the latest updates both on air and online.