Drug trafficking suspect pleads not guilty
NEW YORK (AP) — A Chinese drug trafficking suspect who escaped custody in Mexico only to be recaptured in Cuba has been turned over to the U.S. to face charges he trafficked large quantities of cocaine and fentanyl into the country. Zhi Dong Zhang pleaded not guilty to the charges Wednesday at his arraignment in Brooklyn federal court. His lawyer declined to comment following the court appearance. Federal officials say Zhang ran a vast drug trafficking and money laundering network that imported thousands of kilograms of cocaine and other drugs into the United States and other countries. Zhang remains in custody pending his next court date in January.