DOJ Alleges Illegal Immigrant Smuggled Weapons to North Korea from California [WATCH]

A Chinese national illegally residing in the U.S. has been accused of orchestrating a sophisticated arms smuggling operation, funneling firearms and ammunition from California to North Korea.

According to federal authorities, Shenghua Wen allegedly used shipping containers to secretly transport weapons, highlighting a disturbing breach of national security, as reported by Fox News.

The Department of Justice, in a complaint filed in the Central District of California, revealed that Wen and unnamed co-conspirators successfully shipped at least two weapon-laden containers from Long Beach, California, through Hong Kong, to North Korea.

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This alarming operation included firearms and ammunition concealed within the shipments.

U.S. charges Chinese national for exporting guns and ammo to North Korea https://t.co/4Jpv9HXLYB

— CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) December 3, 2024

Federal agents raided Wen’s Ontario, California, residence on August 14, seizing two highly advanced devices. The first, a Serstech Arx mkII Pharma device, is a chemical threat identification tool.

The second, an ANDRE Deluxe Near-Field Detection device, detects hidden eavesdropping devices. Both items, according to Wen, were procured for use by the North Korean military.

In a separate raid on September 6, authorities confiscated 50,000 rounds of 9mm ammunition from Wen’s van. Court documents claim Wen admitted the ammunition was also destined for North Korea under the directive of the regime’s officials.

The investigation unearthed Wen’s troubling background. After entering the U.S. in 2012 on a student visa, he overstayed his permit, remaining in the country illegally. Interviews revealed that prior to his arrival, Wen had met with North Korean officials in China and was allegedly recruited for smuggling due to his expertise.

🚨🇺🇸 CALIFORNIA MAN CAUGHT PLAYING ARMS DEALER FOR NORTH KOREA

Shenghua Wen, 41, didn’t just overstay his visa—he allegedly turned into North Korea’s go-to guy for smuggling weapons.

Authorities say Wen shipped two containers of guns and ammo from Long Beach to North Korea in… pic.twitter.com/hU2GBKpjDK

— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 3, 2024

Wen confessed that North Korean officials wired him approximately $2 million to purchase arms and other equipment. He allegedly disclosed that the regime aimed to use these supplies for a potential attack on South Korea, including military uniforms intended for a surprise assault.

Wen’s operation involved creating a false front. He reportedly spent $150,000 to acquire an armory and federal firearm license, listing a partner as the business owner. To further avoid suspicion, Wen utilized straw purchasers to buy weapons, knowing direct purchases would trigger ATF alerts.

After acquiring the firearms, Wen transported them from Texas to California on three separate trips, packing them into shipping containers destined for North Korea. The shipments, authorities say, occurred in October and December 2023.

USA v Wen Complaint – DOJ A… by Red Voice News

During a press conference, U.S. Attorney Martin Estrada called the case a significant breach of national security.

“The conduct alleged in this complaint is chilling,” Estrada said. “One of our foreign adversaries, North Korea, was running an operative in our country and using that operative to obtain high-grade technology and military equipment, including firearms and ammunition. And the purpose of this allegedly, was to help conduct an attack on one of our allies, South Korea,”

The allegations serve as a reminder of the dangers posed by foreign operatives exploiting weaknesses in the U.S. system. This case underscores the importance of stringent enforcement to safeguard national security.