U.S. authorities at Los Angeles International Airport arrested an Iranian national, Shamim Mafi (44), while she was attempting to travel to Istanbul, on charges of planning to smuggle weapons and Iranian-made drones to Sudanese army forces in Port Sudan.
The deals she allegedly brokered—while residing in California as a permanent resident—included Mohajer-6 drones valued at $70 million, 55,000 bomb fuses, and 10 million rounds of ammunition.
Investigations revealed that she had direct contact with Iranian intelligence.
Mafi faces charges of violating U.S. sanctions on Iran and could face up to 20 years in prison.
She is scheduled to appear in court next Monday.
