An Iranian national who became a lawful permanent resident in 2016, now residing in the United States, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on charges of trafficking arms on behalf of Iran.
In statements by federal officials, Shamim Mafi of Woodland Hills, California was taken into custody on Saturday night after being charged with 50 U.S.C. §1705 – brokering the sale of drones, bombs, fuses, and ammunition manufactured in Iran but sold to Sudan.Â
In the Central District of California, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said Mafi will make an initial appearance in Los Angeles court on Monday afternoon, being innocent until proven guilty. Despite required disclosure, he proceeded to share photographic evidence detailing the foreign national’s apprehension tied to Iran.
The arrest, announced by Essayli on X, adds to developments just days after federal authorities in Los Angeles terminated the green cards and lawful permanent resident status of an Iranian family tied to the regime. It was reported that the family man involved last week, was actually the son of infamous Iranian propagandist “Screaming Mary”, who was made famous for propaganda spewed during the Iranian Hostage Crisis of 1979.
The latest actions and events paint the picture of ongoing enforcement efforts in identifying and targeting individuals connected to the Iranian regime holding legal residency status, and residing in the United States.
[Related: Son and Family Of “Screaming Mary” – Notorious IRGC Mouthpiece Arrested On U.S. Soil]
