2 Held on Charges of Trying to Illegally Export Arms
- Share via
Two men were arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on charges of trying to export contraband military devices to China, authorities said Friday.
John Chu, 44, of Pasadena and Zhu Zhaoxin, 55, of Shenzhen, China, were taken into custody Thursday by investigators from the Department of Homeland Security after arriving on a flight from Boston, where they allegedly negotiated a deal to buy traveling wave amplifiers from undercover agents.
Traveling wave amplifiers are used in a range of radar, satellite and other sophisticated electronic equipment. Export of the devices is restricted.
Chu and Zhaoxin were held on suspicion of violating the Arms Export Control Act.
According to a government affidavit, the pair were planning to ship the devices to China via some other country to avoid arousing suspicions.
If convicted, they could be sentenced to up to five years in prison.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
