Seattle, WA – A notorious conspiracy to export restricted firearm parts from the United States to Thailand has led to the arrest of six suspects, including two brothers, NARES and NARIS LEKHAKUL. The operation spanned from 2011 to 2013, with the defendants using fraudulent means to evade detection, according to U.S. Attorney Jenny A. Durkan.
The Lekhakul brothers, aged 36 and 42 respectively, were among those nabbed in SeaTac, Bellevue, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, and Berkeley. Their scheme involved shipping items like magazines for .45 caliber handguns under false labels, such as ‘replacement springs and metal caps for bottling machine’ or ‘hobby parts,’ totaling over 240 shipments.
Joining the brothers are Witt Sittikornwanish, 24; Wimol Brumme, 41; Sangsit Mowananna, 35; and Supanee Saenguthai, 35. They face charges under the Arms Control Export Act for conspiracy and attempted violation of the law.
The firearms parts in question are listed on the United States Munitions List, requiring an export license that the defendants failed to obtain. Despite this, they managed to ship components without assembly or disassembly of entire firearms.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) led the investigation with support from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. Assistant United States Attorneys Todd Greenberg and Thomas Woods are prosecuting the case, with assistance from the Department of Justice National Security Division, Counterespionage Section.
The charges against the defendants remain allegations; they are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.
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Key Facts
- State: Washington
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Fraud & Financial Crimes|Weapons|Organized Crime
- Source: Official Source ↗
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