The US Military Technology Smuggling Plot has taken a dramatic turn after the FBI indicted two foreign nationals for attempting to illegally export American defense equipment to China.
John Miller, a 63-year-old British national and permanent US resident, and Cui Guanghai, a 43-year-old Chinese citizen, now face multiple serious charges. US authorities accuse them of smuggling sensitive military technology, stalking a dissident, and conspiring against American national security interests.
Both men were arrested in Serbia and remain in custody there. The United States is working with Serbian officials on their potential extradition.
The indictment outlines how the pair allegedly plotted to export encrypted defense systems. These included cryptographic devices, drones, air defense radars, and even missile systems.
According to court filings, they tried to mask the technology using small electronics, a blender, and a motor starter to avoid detection. They even paid a $10,000 deposit for encrypted devices to start the scheme.
US officials revealed that Miller and Cui spoke with two unnamed individuals—code-named “Individual 5” and “Individual 6″—about smuggling encrypted hardware to China. They didn’t realize those individuals were acting under FBI guidance.
In addition to smuggling efforts, the two also stand accused of targeting a Chinese dissident in the US. Prosecutors claim the suspects tracked the individual, slashed their car tyres, and placed a GPS device on their vehicle.
The US Military Technology Smuggling Plot escalated during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Los Angeles in 2023. There, Miller and Cui allegedly attempted to silence protestors critical of China’s President Xi Jinping.
The FBI says they recruited two more operatives, identified as “Individual 3” and “Individual 4”, and paid them $36,000 to disrupt an activist’s online event. That event featured artistic statues mocking China’s leadership. These operatives were also secretly working for the FBI.
Moreover, US Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche called the case a “blatant assault” on national security. He emphasized the Justice Department’s zero-tolerance policy toward foreign influence and repression within the United States.
Attorney Bill Essayli of California stated that the accused sought to suppress free speech and violate federal law. He vowed to pursue justice using every legal tool available.
The UK Foreign Office confirmed it is assisting John Miller and coordinating with Serbian authorities. They remain in contact with Miller’s family.
Overall, this US Military Technology Smuggling Plot underscores growing concerns over Chinese espionage and interference on American soil. US officials stress that all defendants remain innocent until proven guilty in court.
For more political updates, visit DC Brief.
