Chinese National Charged with Smuggling Weapons to North Korea

Shenghua Wen, a 41-year-old Chinese national living illegally in California, has been arrested for allegedly conspiring to ship weapons and ammunition to North Korea, including 50,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition and military technology. Prosecutors claim Wen received $2 million from North Korean officials to procure military supplies, which he shipped concealed in containers from Long Beach, California, through Hong Kong. The FBI emphasized the importance of this arrest, highlighting the prevention of further arms shipments to the North Korean regime and the intelligence gathered during the investigation. Wen, who overstayed his student visa from 2012, faces serious federal charges, including conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, which could result in a 20-year prison sentence. The case raises concerns about illegal immigration and national security, as Wen allegedly met North Korean officials in consulates in China prior to his arrival in the U.S. He is expected to appear in federal court soon.