A Chinese man living in the U.S. illegally, Shenghua Wen, was arrested for illegally exporting guns and ammunition to North Korea and planning to send other technology to the country. Wen was living in California on an expired visa when he conducted the illegal trade. He sent at least two shipments of firearms and ammunition hidden in shipping containers from Long Beach to Hong Kong and then North Korea. Law enforcement seized some material before it could be shipped, and a search of Wen’s home uncovered thousands of rounds of ammunition and a device to detect eavesdropping. Wen came to the U.S. on a student visa in 2012 but stayed after it expired, meeting with North Korean officials in China who instructed him to send goods to North Korea. He bought guns through straw buyers and drove them to California, claiming it was a simple process. Wen is accused of working with other unnamed co-conspirators. The North Korean officials also asked for civilian aircraft engines and military uniforms, which Wen believed were for a surprise attack on South Korea. Wen is charged with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, carrying up to 20 years in prison if convicted. It is unclear if he has legal representation at this time.
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