Calif. woman arrested, accused of trafficking weapons for Iranian govt
OAN Staff Sylvia Stewart
2:15 PM – Sunday, April 19, 2026
A woman is under arrest in California for allegedly trafficking arms on behalf of Iran.
On Saturday, 44-year-old Shamim Mafi was detained at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
According to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, Mafi, a California resident, was charged with brokering deals involving Iranian drones, bombs, and ammunition that were allegedly intended for Sudan.
In addition to the accusations, authorities say records linked her to Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security. Court documents indicated that the ministry allegedly provided instructions and funding for her to establish a business in the United States to operate from.
“She is charged with a violation of 50 U.S.C. § 1705 for brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition manufactured by Iran and sold to Sudan,” First Assistant US Attorney Bill Essayli said Sunday, announcing the arrest.
Mafi is scheduled to make an initial court appearance on Monday.
If convicted as charged, she faces a statutory maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison.
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