Surrey resident linked to organized retail crime ring targeting Lululemon; over $175K in goods seized. Civil forfeiture claim filed by B.C. authorities.
Organized Crime Network Uncovered in Surrey
A South Surrey woman is at the centre of an alleged organized retail crime ring targeting Lululemon stores across Metro Vancouver. According to court documents, Yawen Zeng’s residence was searched in March 2025, leading to the discovery of thousands of dollars in stolen merchandise.
Major Police Seizure at South Surrey Home
On March 7, 2025, Surrey RCMP executed a search warrant at the home shared by Zeng and her husband, Jia Dai. Authorities seized 493 items believed to be stolen from Lululemon, 30 pieces from other retailers, 369 cosmetic products, 113 gift cards, and $6,741.75 in cash. Investigators allege Zeng operated in a higher-level role, organizing the resale of stolen goods.
Alleged Ties to Known Retail Theft Facilitators
Court documents reveal communication between Zeng and Manishkumar Patel—previously charged in October 2024 alongside his cousin Manan Shah for trafficking in stolen property. Patel and Shah’s residence was also searched in July 2024, resulting in the seizure of $86,000 in Lululemon merchandise and $20,000 in cash. Zeng had no prior criminal record, and police found her connection to Patel “unusual.”
Surveillance and Digital Evidence Strengthen Allegations
Following a phone data analysis by Transit Police, Zeng became a focus of the investigation in February 2025. Surveillance and RFID scanning—used to track Lululemon’s uniquely tagged products—confirmed the presence of at least 17 stolen items at her home. These items were reported as “unknown status at floor,” confirming they had been unlawfully removed from stores.
Civil Forfeiture Sought by B.C. Government
Although Zeng has not been criminally charged, the B.C. Director of Civil Forfeiture filed a notice of claim on May 15, 2025. The claim seeks to seize the couple’s South Surrey townhouse, their vehicle, cash, and gift cards—all allegedly linked to criminal activity. The estimated value of the seized goods exceeds $175,000.
Legal Proceedings and Asset Return Underway
The defendants have 21 days from the date of service to respond to the civil claim. If no response is filed, a judgment against the property may proceed. Meanwhile, an application was filed in Surrey Provincial Court on May 13 to return the stolen goods to Lululemon, which was granted on May 20.
