A Chinese national has been indicted in Colorado for trying to illegally export to China radiation-hardened computer circuits used in satellite communications.
According to the indictment, Philip Chaohui He, also known as Philip Hope, obtained the units – with a value of almost $550,000 – from a Colorado manufacturer.
He allegedly provided false certification to the Colorado manufacturer that his company was purchasing the circuits for end-use in the United States only, and acknowledged that the circuits could not be transferred to any other country.
The indictment alleges that on Dec. 11, He drove to the Port of Long Beach and met with two men in front of a docked ship bearing a Chinese flag. Federal authorities allege the ship was registered to Zhenhua Port Machinery Co., a subsidiary of the China state-owned corporation China Communications Construction.
He allegedly concealed 200 integrated circuits in several plastic infant formula containers placed inside five boxes which were sealed and labeled as “milk powder” written in Chinese.
The indictment alleges the He transported the boxes in the trunk of his car.
Neither He, nor his company SEI had a license to export defense articles of any description.
Under U.S. law, the radiation-hardened circuits are considered to be defense articles. The indictment charges He with conspiracy, attempted unlawful export of defense articles, and attempted smuggling of defense articles, all related to his attempt to export to China items listed on the U.S. Munitions List.
He lives in Oakland, Calif.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
