Press Release  Two Braintree Brothers Arrested, Arraigned in Connection with Major Money Laundering and Marijuana Trafficking Operation

BOSTON — Two Braintree brothers have been arrested and arraigned in connection with operating a major multistate marijuana trafficking and money laundering operation in Massachusetts and New York, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

Wai Eng, 44, and Aibun Eng, 46, were arraigned Wednesday in Quincy District Court on one count each of the charges of Money Laundering, Possession with Intent to Distribute a Class D Substance, Marijuana Trafficking, and Conspiracy to Violate the Drug Laws. They pleaded not guilty to the charges and were held on $20,000 cash bail. Wai Eng and Aibun Eng are due back in Quincy District Court on Aug. 12.

The AG’s Office alleges the defendants were running a scheme to launder the proceeds from their multistate marijuana trafficking operation through MGM Springfield and other casinos in Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.

With the cooperation of MGM Springfield, Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office and other investigators from the office began their investigation after reviewing records from the casino and noticing activity that was consistent with money laundering.

The defendants were arrested Wednesday by Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office following the execution of search warrants at the defendants’ Braintree residences, as well as separate locations in Reading, Quincy, and Flushing, New York. During the searches, authorities seized five cars, more than $300,000 in cash, more than 100 lbs. of illegal marijuana, various drug packaging and distribution paraphernalia, over $27,000 in casino chips, prepaid gift cards, jewelry, and drug ledgers.

All of these charges are allegations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Heather Valentine of AG Healey’s Gaming Enforcement Division, with assistance from Senior Financial Investigator Eugene Griffin of AG Healey’s Gaming Enforcement Division. The case is being investigated by AG Healey’s Gaming Enforcement Division and Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, with assistance from Massachusetts State Police Gaming Enforcement Unit assigned to the Investigations and Enforcement Bureau of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the Massachusetts Gaming Commission, the Norfolk County State Police Detective Unit, Middlesex County State Police Detective Unit, Massachusetts State Police Narcotics Inspection Unit, the New York City Police, Reading Police, Braintree Police, Quincy Police, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

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