Chi Tong Kuok, 42, has been convicted of trying to smuggle restricted U.S. military equipment to his native Macau. A federal jury in San Diego convicted Chi Tong Kuok Tuesday May 11 of conspiracy, money laundering, smuggling and attempting to export defense articles without a license.
Prosecutors say Kuok contacted a British company in 2006 and tried to obtain items made by a Carlsbad defense contractor. U.S. authorities were notified and set up a two-year sting investigation. Kuok was arrested last June. He faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of money laundering. (Source: AP, Mercurynews.com, May 12, 2010).