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RCMP announce multimedia blitz to capture alleged money launderer

Cong Dinh of Burnaby is alleged to have been involved in a Vietnamese organized crime group and is now considered a fugitive
Fugitive

The RCMP Federal Serious and Organized Crime (FSOC) unit announced Tuesday a Burnaby man sought by police for five charges of money laundering will be the target of a new public and social media campaign.

Cong Dinh of Burnaby is charged with five counts of laundering the proceeds of crime, stemming from his alleged involvement in a Vietnamese organized crime group that police allege laundered about $2.7 million obtained from drug trafficking. Dinh is alleged to have trafficked ecstasy and marijuana to the U.S. from Canada and cocaine to Canada from the U.S.

A Canada-wide warrant was issued for Dinh’s arrest in 2013; however, his last suspected known whereabouts was Vietnam prior to charges being issued in 2013 by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada.

The RCMP FSOC is now partnering with the Be on the Lookout (Bolo) Program, a non-profit organization that runs social media and public campaigns to catch fugitives.

Police say the public can expect to see large yellow sign advertisements with Dinh’s mugshot on it.

Dinh, according to Bolo, has “numerous ties to the Lower Mainland. He is believed to have fled to Vietnam but may also be living in Canada under a false identity. Anyone offering Dinh assistance in evading arrest may be considered an accessory after the fact and face charges.”

Supt. Keith Finn, in charge of FSOC in B.C., made the announcement at E Division headquarters in Surrey. He said the case involves American authorities, including the Drug Enforcement Agency and Internal Revenue Service Criminal Investigation unit.

The Bolo Program is now offering a $50,000 reward via Crime Stoppers for any tips, even anonymous ones, that lead to the arrest of Dinh. The reward is valid until May 3, 2020.

While Dinh has evaded police, a subject of the same investigation named Minh Nguyen, from Orange County, was arrested and pleaded guilty to money laundering and drug trafficking.

gwood@glaciermedia.ca