Woman from Woodland Hills Arrested at LAX on Suspicion of Arms Trafficking for Iran
Woman Arrested at LAX on Arms Trafficking Charges for Iran
LOS ANGELES – Federal authorities arrested Shamim Mafi, 44, an Iranian national and lawful permanent resident of the U.S., at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday night. Mafi is suspected of trafficking arms for the Iranian government.
According to U.S. officials, Mafi brokered the sale of Iranian-made drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition, which were reportedly sold to Sudan. Bill Essayli, the first assistant U.S. attorney for the Central District of California, confirmed the arrest, stating that it was executed "for trafficking arms on behalf of the government of Iran."
The criminal complaint indicates that Mafi, who resides in Woodland Hills, frequently travels to Iran, Turkey, and other countries. She was reportedly set to depart from LAX for Turkey at the time of her arrest.
Local residents have voiced their support for the federal agents’ actions. One San Fernando Valley resident remarked, "It’s magnificent that they’re cracking down, and they have to stick to it. You know, you start a game, you finish it."
If convicted, Mafi faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. She is scheduled to make her initial court appearance on Monday afternoon in U.S. District Court.
