Mei ‘Gigi’ Lin, 41, also known as ‘Make it Rain,’ according to the Australian Federal Police (AFP) is a prime suspect in a drug-smuggling ring operating between Papua New Guinea and Australia. Lin is alleged to have close ties to several influential figures in Papua New Guinea, including Chinese business people with connections to Beijing-backed organizations in PNG and elsewhere.
According to AFP, Lin played a central role in a drug-trafficking cartel that intended to carry out regular “black flights” into Australia to bring in methamphetamine and possibly other drugs. The first of these flights was intercepted in March 2023, carrying over 71 kilograms of methamphetamine.
After her arrest in Brisbane, Lin was released on bail and denies any involvement in the offenses she’s been accused of. Eight other people were also charged in relation to the operation, including a police officer and a soldier from Papua New Guinea.
She used encrypted communications devices and was known as “Make it Rain” or just “Rain.” AFP alleges that she used encrypted communications devices to communicate with other syndicate members.
Affidavits obtained from court records show that Lin was the owner and CEO of KC 2, a company based in Lae, Papua New Guinea. KC 2 was allegedly used to store the methamphetamine before it was transported. Lin Hezhong, her uncle, an employee in KC 2, was arrested on drug smuggling charges last year in connection to the drug operation.
Lin appears to have been involved in nearly two dozen companies in both Australia and Papua New Guinea in a variety of capacities, according to corporate documents. She holds a senior role in Chatswood PNG, a company owned by former PNG Deputy Prime Minister Moses Maladina. This company is under investigation for an alleged abuse of Australian government funding intended to care for refugees and asylum seekers.
These allegations raise a number of questions about Lin’s past. She claims to have immigrated to PNG from China as a teenager, but evidence seems to contradict that claim. Records show she became established in Lae in 2013, growing her business and expanding into property operations, but she has faced legal troubles regarding her property dealings, including being questioned by a PNG parliamentary committee in 2021 for one deal which was ruled illegal.
Despite these murky aspects of her business dealings and a mounting list of criminal charges against her, Lin continues to be highly involved in various businesses and professional relationships. She has close ties to individuals within China and notable PNG public figures, including owning a school with the daughter of a former PNG Prime Minister.
Legal authorities from both Australia and Papua New Guinea confirmed that the investigation into these issues is still ongoing, and they have provided limited data about it so far. All that is known is that Lin and six other individuals have been charged in Australia, and eight people have been charged in PNG. None of the individuals mentioned have been charged with any offenses related to drug trafficking activities and there is no evidence to suggest that they were involved in these illicit activities.