Iranian Immigrant Arrested for Alleged Arms Trafficking

A 44-year-old Iranian immigrant, Shamim Mafi, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday night. According to Bill Esseri, the U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, Mafi became a legal permanent resident in 2016 after relocating from Iran in 2013.

Mafi faces serious charges related to arms trafficking under U.S. law, specifically for allegedly facilitating the sale of drones, bombs, fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition on behalf of the Iranian government. The ammunition is said to have been manufactured in Iran and sold to Sudan.

If found guilty, Mafi could receive a prison sentence of up to 20 years, along with possible fines. Additionally, as an aggravated felon, there is a risk of deportation from the United States.

It has been reported that Mafi used a company based in Oman, called Atlas International Business, to negotiate arms contracts until 2025. One notable contract is valued at over $70 million for an Iranian-made Mohajar 6 armed drone, acquired from Iran’s Ministry of Defense. This drone, along with over 50,000 fuses, was allegedly part of a deal with Sudan’s Ministry of Defense, amid the ongoing civil war in Sudan.

According to the African Defense Forum, Iran has historically capitalized on the instability of civil wars, actively supplying weapons to Sudan to establish a foothold in the Red Sea region. This move could potentially threaten shipping routes like the Suez Canal and exert influence over regional powers such as Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Mafi’s initial appearance in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles is scheduled for Monday afternoon, with the presumption of innocence until proven otherwise in court.