| Submit your comments on this article |
| Home Front: WoT |
| Singapore arms dealer is arrested in sting |
| 2006-04-12 |
| A Singapore arms dealer who federal agents said came to San Diego to buy rifles he wanted to illegally export to Indonesia was arrested Monday by undercover agents in a sting operation. Chia Kia Cheng, 60, also known as Ronald “K.C.” Chia, is scheduled to be arraigned in San Diego federal court today on charges of trying to illegally export two M-4 automatic rifles. The case began in 1999, when Cheng met an undercover customs agent who was posing as a weapons dealer at an arms expo in Washington, D.C., according to court documents. In e-mails and phone calls after that, Cheng repeatedly inquired about buying thousands of M-16 rifles, night-vision equipment and bulletproof vests, which he said were bound for customers in Indonesia and Syria, according to court documents. Cheng also asked about getting grenade launchers for a Syrian buyer, investigators said. Investigators have not found any connection to terrorist organizations, said Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokeswoman Lauren Mack. In conversations over several years, Cheng and the agent referred to the weapons – which are illegal to export without permission – as “teak furniture,” according to a court filing. Less than a month ago, Cheng said he had confirmed buyers and ordered three sample rifles he planned to show his customer and test-fire in Indonesia, they said. To consummate the deal, Cheng agreed to come to San Diego. During Cheng's visit, the undercover agent showed him two rifles in a hotel room, then had him fill out a shipping label for shipment to Indonesia and pay $3,280, investigators said. Other agents arrested Cheng shortly after the payment was made, investigators said. In an interview less than an hour later, Cheng denied paying for the rifles, but he said the deal was “improper” and “shady,” according to court documents. The charges he faces carry a maximum prison term of 20 years if he is convicted. |
| Posted by:Frank G |
| #2 Preez forgives, papa Cheng not sharpest hoe in rice paddy. He dink big, but no do impot/expot thingy, he just like M-4's for nytime gun sex. $ 3,280 dolla com from Ronnie egg stash. Chickens ah dead noaw, flu got'em. Preez forgives. |
| Posted by: Mama Cheng 2006-04-12 13:24 |
| #1 At least he is looking for American weapons. |
| Posted by: Brett 2006-04-12 13:17 |