A 44-year-old Iranian national was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on suspicion of facilitating the transfer of weapons from Iran to Sudan. Federal prosecutors allege she acted as an intermediary in the arms trade amid Sudan's ongoing civil conflict.
Allegations of Weapons Trafficking
The charges brought by federal prosecutors indicate that Shamim Mafi brokered the sale of various military materials. According to First U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, the trafficked items included:
- Drones
- Bombs and bomb fuses
- Millions of rounds of ammunition
These materials were allegedly destined for the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) from Iran.
Arrest Details and Legal Proceedings
- Arrest Location: Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Saturday night.
- Defendant: Shamim Mafi, an Iranian national who became a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. in 2016.
- Court Appearance: Mafi is scheduled to appear in the U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Monday.
- Potential Charges: If convicted, she faces a potential sentence of up to 20 years in prison.
As of Sunday, details regarding her legal representation were not immediately available.
