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Iranian National Arrested at LAX on Suspicion of Trafficking Weapons on Iran Government's Behalf
Federal prosecutors say the 44-year-old Woodland Hills woman brokered sales of drones, bombs and millions of rounds of ammunition for Iran.
- On Saturday night, federal authorities arrested Shamim Mafi at Los Angeles International Airport, charging the Woodland Hills resident with brokering unauthorized arms deals for the Iranian government.
- Prosecutors allege Mafi used an Oman-registered front company, Atlas International Business, to facilitate transactions including over $70 million in Iranian Mohajer-6 drones and 55,000 bomb fuses destined for Sudan.
- Phone records indicate Mafi may have been in contact with Iran's Ministry of Intelligence between December 2022 and June 2025, though she denied to investigators acting on behalf of the regime.
- Mafi faces a statutory maximum of 20 years in federal prison if convicted and is expected to appear Monday afternoon in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
- The arrest coincides with Vice President JD Vance leading a delegation to Islamabad for talks with Iran as officials attempt to prevent expiration of a Middle East ceasefire.
47 Articles
47 Articles
Iranian woman arrested at LA airport for allegedly trafficking weapons to Sudan
Federal authorities on Saturday evening arrested an Iranian national at the Los Angeles International Airport, accusing the woman of trafficking weapons on behalf of Iran. Shamim Mafi, 44 and a lawful permanent U.S. resident, was charged with brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition manufactured by Iran and sold to Sudan, according to First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Californ…
Los Angeles, United States.- A 44-year-old woman originally from Los Angeles was arrested last night at Los Angeles International Airport on suspicion of helping Iran smuggle weapons into Sudan, federal prosecutors reported. Shamim Mafi will face charges for mediating the sale of "drones, bombs, detonators and millions of ammunition" between Iran and the Sudanese Armed Forces, said federal prosecutor Bill Essayli, today on social media. It was n…
Los Angeles Woman Arrested for Allegedly Trafficking Weapons to Sudan
Los Angeles Woman Arrested for Allegedly Trafficking Weapons to Sudan A Los Angeles woman was detained at LAX for allegedly aiding Iran in weapon trafficking to Sudan. Shamim Mafi, 44, is accused of brokering arms deals, including drones and ammunition, amid Sudan's civil war.Federal prosecutors revealed that Mafi utilized an Oman-based company, Atlas International Business, to facilitate these transactions. The company allegedly received over U…
Iranian woman accused of trafficking weapons after LA arrest
Federal authorities on Saturday evening arrested an Iranian national at the Los Angeles International Airport, accusing the woman of trafficking weapons on behalf of Iran. Shamim Mafi, 44 and a lawful permanent U.S. resident, was charged with brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition manufactured by Iran and sold to Sudan, according to First Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Central District of Californ…
Rutland Herald
Woodland Hills woman nabbed at LAX on Iranian arms trafficking charge
Federal prosecutors say a 44-year-old Los Angeles woman was arrested Saturday night at Los Angeles International Airport on suspicion of helping Iran traffic weapons to Sudan, which is in its fourth year of a bloody civil war. First U.S. Attorney…
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