The Justice Department has recently brought to light a concerning case involving an illegal immigrant from China who allegedly facilitated the shipment of weapons to North Korea from California. The individual in question, Shenghua Wen, along with other unnamed co-conspirators, is accused of orchestrating the export of firearms and ammunition to North Korea by concealing these items inside shipping containers that were sent from Long Beach, California, through Hong Kong, China, to North Korea.
Authorities seized incriminating evidence from Wen's residence in Ontario, California, including devices intended for military use by the North Korean government. These items comprised a chemical threat identification device and a handheld broadband receiver designed to detect various transmissions, both of which were earmarked for North Korea.
In a subsequent raid on Wen's van, federal agents discovered a substantial cache of 9mm ammunition that Wen purportedly intended to send to North Korea at the behest of North Korean government officials. It was revealed that Wen, a Chinese national who unlawfully remained in the U.S. after his student visa expired in 2012, was prohibited from possessing firearms or ammunition.
During interrogations, Wen confessed to liaising with North Korean government representatives in China before entering the U.S. and acknowledged receiving funds from them to procure weaponry and other supplies. He disclosed that the North Korean government sought these items for a potential offensive against South Korea, including military uniforms for a surprise attack.
Wen's involvement extended to purchasing an armory and a federal firearm license, with his partner listed as the business owner to circumvent regulations. To avoid detection, Wen employed straw purchasers to buy firearms on his behalf, which he then transported from Texas to California for subsequent shipment to North Korea.
According to Wen, the illicit shipments occurred in October and December of 2023, underscoring the extent of his involvement in this illicit arms trade. The U.S. attorney's office in Los Angeles is poised to address this alarming development in a press conference, shedding further light on this significant national security investigation.
