Federal authorities have arrested Shenghua Wen, a Chinese illegal alien residing in California, on charges of purchasing and smuggling firearms and ammunition to North Korea. Prosecutors allege Wen acted on behalf of North Korean agents, receiving $2 million to facilitate the illicit activities.
According to a criminal complaint unsealed this week, Wen entered the U.S. on a student visa in 2012. Prosecutors claim he admitted to meeting with North Korean officials in China before his arrival, where they instructed him to procure weapons, ammunition, and technology for Pyongyang. Wen reportedly told investigators he was “good at smuggling” and shipped two containers of firearms from Long Beach, California, to Hong Kong, which were later routed to North Korea.
During a search of Wen’s vehicle, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents recovered 50,000 rounds of ammunition. Authorities also seized equipment, including a chemical threat detector and a tool for identifying hidden surveillance devices. Prosecutors say Wen planned to supply U.S. military uniforms to North Korean soldiers, allegedly to assist in disguising them for a surprise attack on South Korea.
Wen reportedly used straw purchasers to obtain firearms, often driving to Texas to secure the weapons. Investigators uncovered evidence of his activities in encrypted messages with North Korean handlers and photographs of firearms sent to co-conspirators. Court filings reveal Wen funneled funds through a Chinese bank account linked to his partner.
The case underscores the dangers posed by migrants who exploit U.S. visas to engage in activities supporting hostile regimes. Chinese illegals have been entering the United States in record numbers under the Biden-Harris government.
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