Washington, D.C. – A former senior United Nations official has been arrested by the FBI and charged with attempting to broker $1.1 billion worth of arms deals between China and Libya, in violation of U.S. arms export laws, according to reports released Monday.
The accused, Kuang Chi Wan, a 62-year-old Montreal-based official, previously served as Deputy Director at the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a specialized UN agency. FBI documents obtained by Global News indicate that he was apprehended on January 21, 2023 and is facing charges under the U.S. Arms Export Control Act for allegedly profiting from illegal weapons transactions.
Alleged International Conspiracy
Wan, also known as “James”, is accused of being part of a seven-person network involved in the scheme, though the identities of the other six individuals remain undisclosed. According to FBI documents, he told investigators that one of his alleged co-conspirators was “a special advisor to Chinese President Xi Jinping”.
Authorities allege that between 2019 and 2022, Wan facilitated illicit arms and oil trade agreements between Chinese entities, Libyan warlords, and other unnamed parties, despite international arms embargoes and trade sanctions.
Links to a Larger Investigation
The case is believed to be connected to previous charges brought by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) against two other individuals accused of conspiring to smuggle Libyan crude oil to China in exchange for Chinese-manufactured drones. That case was reported by the Toronto Star in April 2024.
Legal Proceedings and Status
As of now, Wan’s legal status in U.S. courts remains unclear. Reports indicate that authorities seized his phone and laptop, making it difficult for media outlets to contact him for comment.
His arrest adds to growing tensions over China’s alleged involvement in international arms trafficking and underscores increasing scrutiny by U.S. and Canadian authorities on illicit global trade networks.
This case is still developing, and further details are expected as investigations continue.
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