Missile Smuggler Pleads Guilty

(Los Angeles) Born in China, naturalized American citizen Chao Tung Wu, 54, pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to conspiring to smuggle 200 Chinese QW-2 shoulder-fired missiles into the U.S.

From TheStar.com.my:

When Wu was indicted in November along with another man, Yi Qing Chen, they became the first people charged under a 2004 U.S. law forbidding the import of aircraft-destroying missile systems into the United States, officials said.

Wu, who also admitted to trafficking methamphetamine, counterfeit bills, cigarettes and Ecstasy tablets into the United States, made a plea bargain with U.S. prosecutors in hopes of reducing a possible 25-year prison term.

Another report indicates that the prosecution will recommend for Wu to receive "well below 25 years" in accordance with the plea bargain. Chen previously pleaded not guilty.

Interestingly, as this post is being written, Chinese President Hu Jintao and President Bush are sitting down for lunch in the White House. Here's my thought. Maybe the subject of smuggling Chinese weapons could be discussed?

Companion post at Diggers Realm.