ICE Removes Thai National for Illegal Exports, AECA Violations

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement removed a Thai national who pleaded guilty to illegally exporting firearms to Thailand in violation of the Arms Export Control Act, ICE said in a Feb. 26 news release. Apichart Srivaranon bought firearms parts online from U.S. gun manufacturers and had the parts shipped to addresses in the U.S. to “co-conspirators.” Once his co-conspirators received the shipments, Srivaranon told them to repackage the parts and falsely label and declare the contents as “spare parts, bicycle parts, fishing parts, or toy parts” before shipping them to Thailand through the U.S. Postal Service and private shipping companies, ICE said. Srivaranon also told them to alternate the frequency, addresses of the shipments and the value of the contents to “avoid detection.” The parts included components for AR-15 and M-16 military-style assault rifles. Srivaranon was removed from U.S. custody to Thailand Feb. 24.