Wen, who came to the U.S. on a student visa in 2012 but overstayed after it expired in 2013, initially connected with North Korean government officials at their embassy in China. Following orders from these officials, he utilized secure messaging to arrange the smuggling of firearms from the U.S. to North Korea. In 2023 alone, Wen shipped at least three containers from the Port of Long Beach, falsely declaring their contents to authorities.
One particular shipment, disguised as a refrigerator, reached Hong Kong in January 2024 before heading to Nampo, North Korea. Additionally, Wen acquired a firearms business in Texas, moving weapons and ammunition across state lines and planning to send around 60,000 rounds of ammunition to North Korea. The Justice Department noted that he also tried to procure sensitive technology, including a chemical threat identification device.
Despite strong international sanctions banning arms trade with North Korea, the country has persistently found ways to circumvent these restrictions, as illustrated by Wen’s case and past trafficking incidents involving other nations.
One particular shipment, disguised as a refrigerator, reached Hong Kong in January 2024 before heading to Nampo, North Korea. Additionally, Wen acquired a firearms business in Texas, moving weapons and ammunition across state lines and planning to send around 60,000 rounds of ammunition to North Korea. The Justice Department noted that he also tried to procure sensitive technology, including a chemical threat identification device.
Despite strong international sanctions banning arms trade with North Korea, the country has persistently found ways to circumvent these restrictions, as illustrated by Wen’s case and past trafficking incidents involving other nations.