Chinese smuggler supplying ammunition to North Korea arrested in US
Illustrative photo: A Chinese munitions smuggler to the DPRK was arrested in the United States (Getty Images)
In California, 41-year-old Shenghua Wen was arrested on suspicion of organizing the illegal export of firearms, ammunition, and other military technologies to the DPRK. He is a citizen of China, the US Department of Justice says.
A Chinese smuggler violated US international sanctions by planning to send military cargo through Long Beach to Hong Kong, from where it was supposed to reach the DPRK.
Wen was detained after a lengthy investigation. Law enforcement officers found correspondence in which the smuggler discussed the supply of weapons and technology to the DPRK. He began his illegal activities in 2023.
It is also known that over 50,000 rounds of 9 mm ammunition and devices for military use were seized during the investigation.
The US Department of Justice said that Wen is accused of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which prohibits the export of weapons and technology to North Korea without a license.
They noted that if his guilt is proven, he faces up to 20 years in prison.
Weapons smuggling from United States
The United States is the world's largest arms manufacturer, and due to the large amount of legal trade, situations sometimes arise when these weapons end up in illegal smuggling schemes.
New legislation has also been passed in the states to increase criminal liability for smuggling of goods, including weapons.
However, the fight against arms smuggling remains a complex task that requires international cooperation, technological monitoring, and enhanced control measures.
In addition to cases of arms smuggling through Mexico or involving Chinese nationals, many cases involve Russians in various criminal schemes. For example, last year, the United States extradited an alleged Russian intelligence officer involved in arms trafficking.
Also this year, an Israeli citizen, the owner of an international freight forwarding company, pleaded guilty in the United States to conspiring to illegally supply American aircraft parts to Russia.
