California Green Card Holder Arrested At LAX In Alleged Iran Weapons Sales To Sudan
A California green card holder, Shamim Mafi, was arrested at LAX on suspicion of brokering Iranian weapons sales to Sudan.
Federal prosecutors say the 44-year-old Woodland Hills resident was arrested Friday while allegedly about to board a flight to Turkey. She is charged with conspiring to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, a law that enforces US sanctions. Prosecutors say she will appear for an initial hearing in downtown Los Angeles and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
The complaint alleges she arranged or sought multiple large contracts, including a $70.6 million deal for Mohajer-6 armed drones. Other alleged transactions include 55,000 bomb fuses, 10 million rounds of AK-47 ammunition, and a proposed 240 million-round ammunition contract. The FBI complaint cites about 62 bidirectional contacts between Mafi and a phone number linked to an officer of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security from December 2022 through June 2025. DOJ records indicate she gained US permanent residency in 2016 and traveled frequently to Iran, Turkey, and Oman.
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli announced the arrest and the potential sentence on X, making the case public through social media. The public discussion on X and other platforms highlighted enforcement of Iran-related sanctions and raised questions about travel and oversight for permanent residents with foreign ties.
📌 Key Facts
- The suspect is identified as Shamim Mafi, 44, a lawful permanent resident living in Woodland Hills, California; she was arrested Friday at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) while allegedly about to board a flight to Turkey.
- Mafi is charged under 50 U.S.C. § 1705 with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) for allegedly brokering Iranian-made weapons sales to Sudan's Ministry of Defense, including Mohajer-6 armed drones.
- The DOJ complaint alleges Mafi arranged or pursued contracts that included a $70.6 million drone deal, 55,000 bomb fuses, 10 million rounds of AK-47 ammunition, and a proposed 240 million-round ammunition contract.
- The FBI complaint cites about 62 bidirectional contacts between Mafi and a phone number linked to an officer of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security between December 2022 and June 2025.
- The DOJ says Mafi obtained U.S. permanent residency in 2016 and maintained frequent travel to Iran, Turkey, Oman and other countries.
- First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli publicly announced the arrest on X, stated Mafi faces a potential maximum sentence of 20 years, and said she will make an initial court appearance in downtown Los Angeles.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
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- Suspect is identified as Shamim Mafi, 44, a lawful permanent resident living in Woodland Hills, California, arrested Friday at LAX while allegedly about to board a flight to Turkey.
- She is charged under 50 U.S.C. § 1705 with conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act by brokering Iranian-made weapons sales, including Mohajer-6 armed drones, to Sudan's Ministry of Defense.
- The complaint alleges she arranged or pursued contracts including a $70.6 million drone deal, 55,000 bomb fuses, 10 million rounds of AK-47 ammunition, and a proposed 240 million-round ammunition contract.
- DOJ says she obtained U.S. permanent residency in 2016 under the Obama administration and maintains frequent travel to Iran, Turkey, Oman and other countries.
- The FBI complaint cites about 62 bidirectional contacts between Mafi and a phone number linked to an officer of Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security between December 2022 and June 2025.
- First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli publicly announced the arrest and potential 20-year maximum sentence on X and said she will make an initial court appearance in downtown Los Angeles.