WASHINGTON — A Chinese national, Shenghua Wen, 42, has pleaded guilty to illegally exporting firearms and ammunition to North Korea, violating U.S. sanctions, the Justice Department said.

Wen, who overstayed his student visa and was living in California, received $2 million from North Korea for the weapons shipments. Authorities say he concealed arms in containers shipped through Hong Kong.

In separate seizures, law enforcement found high-tech equipment, including a chemical threat detector and an anti-surveillance device, along with 50,000 rounds of 9mm ammo. Wen also tried to obtain a civilian aircraft engine.

He faces up to 30 years in prison and is scheduled for sentencing on August 18.