HONG KONG: A Hong Kong citizen was sentenced to two years in prison for violating the Arms Control Export Act by attempting to smuggle satellite parts back to Hong Kong.
See Kee Chin was caught at the Seattle airport trying to smuggle 10 devices called “accelerometers” in his suitcase. The devices are specialized pieces of equipment used in satellites and spacecraft.
Homeland Security agents had received a tip that Chin was trying to buy the devices, so an undercover agent met Chin at the airport. Chin gave the agent more than $85,000 for the equipment. He pleaded guilty in August to trying to take the devices back home. He also said he was working for others in China.
Acting U.S. Attorney Annette Hayes saID “ensuring our technology does not fall into the wrong hands is a top priority.”
