Chapter 133 He's a repeat offender, and each time he completes three months of compulsory drug rehabilitation...
Director Wen was in a meeting and missed Qiu Xiaoman's call.
This is a small, confidential internal meeting, attended only by the heads of each department or detachment.
Everyone at the meeting had a very serious expression; it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
After a long while, someone finally spoke up: "Director Wen, you should talk to your superiors about this matter. Our Economic Crime Investigation Division has been investigating secretly, but we just haven't made our work public."
Director Wen took a sip of goji berry tea. The goji berries in his mouth had already lost their flavor, but even though he didn't like them, he still chewed them down. Just like some things, no matter how difficult, you have to do them.
He put down his teacup and calmly asked, "Any results?"
The Economic Crime Investigation Detachment is a secondary unit under the Criminal Investigation Brigade. Captain Yan, the head of the detachment, clenched his fists, glanced at the furrowed brows of Captain Zou, and reluctantly said, "According to reliable information, after the last joint military-police operation, the Wu family realized they couldn't reach the Yunnan police. So, they had their business children invest in several real estate projects in Yunnan. These projects all have Hong Kong business partners involved, leading to the initial suspicion that these Hong Kong businessmen are the Wu family's front men for transferring assets overseas. It's conceivable that in another three to five years, the relevant departments in Yunnan will also be corrupted by them. The key issue now is that we can't produce evidence that Old Master Wu and the overseas Wu Group are one entity. All their economic transactions pass through their Hong Kong partners, and we don't have the authority to directly investigate the Hong Kong businessmen's financial transactions with HSBC; we need to consult with higher-ups."
This is indeed a tricky matter. For example, the Wu family actually invested 10 million, but he only said 1 million to the outside world, and claimed that the remaining 9 million was invested by Hong Kong businessmen. Hong Kong businessmen enjoy foreign investment treatment in the mainland, including low tax rates and various preferential policies.
This nine million difference can be transferred out through Hong Kong businessmen at minimal cost to the Wu family overseas.
Therefore, if we want to prove that there are problems with the Wu family's funds, we must investigate the financial transactions of Hong Kong businessmen in Hong Kong.
But now, Hong Kong is still British territory, and it's practically two separate countries from the mainland. Checking their bank statements is incredibly difficult.
Besides, we have no legitimate reason to act; how should I put it? We can't just do it like this—
"Hello, I'd like to investigate Mr./Ms. [Name]'s bank statements in Hong Kong?"
"Why?"
“We suspect that he colluded with wealthy businessmen in mainland China to transfer profits overseas, engaging in collusion between domestic and foreign entities to transfer state-owned assets.”
"Is there any evidence?"
"If you let me check, then there will be evidence."
"Excuse me, if you want to investigate, please provide evidence."
This is just as frustrating as proving that Xiaoming's mother is his mother.
Unless some private individuals gather evidence through private channels, or catch the Wu family doing something illegal in Hong Kong.
Sigh, it's tough. There is someone I could recommend, but... I heard he just went to the Wu family last week, so I'm afraid he's already tied to them. Luckily, Xiao Qiu didn't follow suit and return to the Wu family.
As for the inspection authorities and tax audit departments, they certainly won't show up, because the Wu family will definitely do everything perfectly, making it seem like they pay taxes on time and in full, and there are no problems on the surface.
After all, the Wu family only needs to cover up the publicly disclosed portion of their investments.
Everything can only be approached from Hong Kong. Director Wen frowned, silently furrowing his brow.
After a moment of contemplation, he looked at Director Zhang of the compulsory drug rehabilitation center: "How's it going, Zhang? How many times has that kid from the Duan family been in there? Have you found out?"
This is about Duan Jiahao. After all, like father, like son; the father is a drug addict, and the son is just as useless.
Three years ago, Duan Jiahao became a regular at the drug rehabilitation center.
Director Zhang, a tall woman from Shandong province with a buzz cut, looked similar to Yang Miaomiao. A retired female soldier, she sat upright in her uniform and replied in a clear, articulate voice: "Reporting to the director, the investigation is complete! Duan Jiahao is seventeen years, eleven months, and nine days old. In three weeks, he will be eighteen! From February 3rd, 1987, until the 27th of last month, he was in and out nine times, averaging once every four months. Basically, each time he completed his three-month compulsory drug rehabilitation period, only to relapse immediately upon release!"
Why was he allowed to leave after only three months?
"Because he is a minor and needs to receive compulsory education, his parents submitted the application in advance under the pretext that his studies should not fall behind, and he has behaved well during his drug rehabilitation, so we can only implement the minimum standard."
"You mean he hasn't finished junior high school?"
"Yes, because he goes in once every four months on average, he is still a junior high school student. His student status is still pending, and he keeps taking sick leave to postpone his enrollment."
Director Wen was speechless. The Duan family was so adept at exploiting loopholes; no wonder they were related to the Wu family by marriage.
He thought for a moment and asked, "Based on your understanding of him, he probably took drugs again this time, right?"
“He should have taken it. I heard Captain Zou saw him yesterday. Did Captain Zou notice anything?” Director Zhang looked at Captain Zou, who was closest to Director Wen.
He was Director Wen's right-hand man, his trusted confidant and favorite.
Captain Zou nodded: "Yesterday, since it involved the offspring of the drug-sniffing dog, I stopped Chen Jianjun and went to the scene myself. Based on my judgment, Duan Jiahao was definitely under the influence. He even tried to fight me, but his grandfather stopped him. This kid should be a good starting point. I'll talk to the anti-drug department and tell them to keep a close eye on him."
"Yes, starting with his drug use might lead us to uncover the Wu family's secrets. But there's a prerequisite: the drug trafficking chain in Beidu must be broken. If he can't get drugs, he'll lose control and do something outrageous. Only then will we have a legitimate reason to act." Although Director Zhang works at a drug rehabilitation center and doesn't usually participate in case investigations, she was trained in the military and has a method for analyzing problems.
Once the sales chain is broken, there will be two outcomes: if they can't use drugs outside, they'll go crazy and break the law; if they can use drugs at home, it proves that the Duan family illegally possesses drugs, and a search warrant can be applied for to raid their hideout.
If it is proven that the Duan family illegally possessed drugs, the crime would be much more serious than drug use. At that time, it's hard to guarantee that the Duan family won't confess to something else, and their precious grandson will be released sooner.
Everyone nodded and looked at Director Wen.
Because of the principle of protecting the anti-drug police, the head of the anti-drug squad did not come, so Director Wen had to personally convey the spirit of today's meeting.
Director Wen nodded. "Let's leave it at that for now."
He left the meeting room and returned to his office, only to find that the phone kept ringing. The clerk who was supposed to answer the phone had gone to a meeting with him, and the other secretary was on sick leave and didn't know who was calling.
Director Wen picked up the phone and said "Hello," and Qiu Xiaoman's anxious voice came from the other end.
Director Wen was somewhat surprised. This young comrade was usually so calm and collected. What was wrong with him today? Was it because of the drug-sniffing dog?
He quickly reassured him, "Xiao Qiu, take your time and talk about it. Don't rush, or you'll make mistakes."
How could Qiu Xiaoman not be anxious? She had been on the phone for over half an hour. She took a deep breath and asked as calmly as possible, "Director Wen, I need all the information about veterinarian He Rui. I don't trust anyone else, so I can only come to you directly."
"I understand. Does your base have a fax machine?"
"No."
"Tell your Captain Meng to continue submitting the application. I'll write it down and remind the people in the equipment department to prioritize arranging it for you."
"Okay, so what do we do now?"
"What else can we do? We'll make an exception. I'll have someone prepare it for you, and you can come and get it yourself."
"Okay, I'll be right there."
“I have to go to a government meeting. I’ll give the materials to Xiao Wu. You know him well, so you can ask him for them.”
"Thank you, Director Wen. Also, I'd like to know why the records of the offspring of drug-sniffing dogs don't conceal the fact that their parents were drug-sniffing dogs? Is this aspect of management not very standardized?"
"I'll discuss this with the captain of the anti-drug squad. In the future, they will modify the information of the drug-sniffing dogs' offspring before handing it over to other units, so as to protect their offspring as much as possible."
"Okay, thank you, Director Wen." Qiu Xiaoman hung up the phone and finally breathed a sigh of relief. She rushed to the criminal investigation building as quickly as possible.
The car was parked in the yard. Liu Kun stayed behind, and she ran upstairs alone to find Wu Shirong.
Wu Shirong was comparing several case files in his hand, combining them with the testimonies of several eyewitnesses, and analyzing the contradictions within them.
On the upper right corner of the desk was a sealed file bag, which had just been delivered by Director Wen's clerk, and no one knew what was inside.
He didn't have a penchant for peeping and was busy with his own things. When the knocking came, he had a pen in his mouth, two pens tucked behind his ear, and five or six stacked files in his hand. He was a complete workaholic, so he couldn't open the door and could only mumble "Come in."
Qiu Xiaoman entered in response to the call, and upon seeing his appearance, the gloom that had hung over her all day instantly dissipated, revealing a path leading to light.
Look, there are still such dedicated people in this world, fighting criminals with all their might. She must also pull herself together; the more demonic fog there is, the more we need Sun Wukong!
Although she couldn't manage a smile, she still tried to walk to the table as casually as possible and asked, "Hello, where's the file Director Wen gave me?"
“There—” Wu Shirong quickly spat out the pen from his mouth, hurriedly put down the file in his hand, and took the pen off his ear as well. He explained awkwardly, “These pens are all different in hardness and have different uses.”
Qiu Xiaoman stared suspiciously at the pen in his hand; she wasn't curious at all.
Was it because she stared at him for a couple of seconds when she came in?
"Alright," she nodded, "I've learned a lot, thank you, Master Painter Wu."
"Why do I feel like you're mocking me?" Wu Shirong didn't know she had gone to the army, nor did he know why she was so hostile when she pushed the door open today. But he knew he hadn't provoked her, so he felt wronged.
Qiu Xiaoman picked up the file folder, turned around and left: "No, I'm just in a bad mood. Please forgive me if I've offended you. See you later."
Wu Shirong sensed something was wrong and chased after him, asking, "You're just leaving like that? Aren't you going to take care of your bird?"
Qiu Xiaoman paused for a moment, then realized, "Oh right, I was so angry I forgot I'd developed a bird detective here."
She walked back to Wu Shirong's office, stood by the window and scanned the room. Sure enough, she found that familiar bird, which was eating until its belly was round!
Even though she hadn't been here for a long time, she subconsciously glanced at Wu Shirong and asked, "Did you feed him?"
"Ah." Wu Shirong grinned carefree, like the bright moon in the pure night sky, untouched by any dust.
Qiu Xiaoman smiled, and the haze in her heart completely dissipated.
She punched Wu Shirong lightly: "Dude, you're really something! Thanks!"
As he spoke, he whistled at the chubby bird that had gained two sizes.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com