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In a significant development, an Iranian American woman was apprehended at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday night, with federal authorities alleging her involvement in a sophisticated arms trafficking operation. Shamim Mafi, 44, stands accused of orchestrating weapon sales on behalf of the Iranian government to various contacts in Africa, notably Sudan, amidst the backdrop of a devastating civil conflict.
Allegations of Arms Trafficking
Shamim Mafi, a resident of Woodland Hills, California, was arrested following an extensive investigation led by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California. Bill Essayli, the first assistant U.S. attorney, revealed that Mafi is suspected of facilitating the sale of a wide array of military hardware, including drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition.
The federal complaint outlines Mafi’s alleged role in brokering these deals through her company, Atlas International. Reports indicate that Mafi has been a lawful permanent resident of the United States since 2016, although she frequently travels to Iran, Turkey, and Oman. Notably, she resided in Istanbul prior to her move to the U.S. in 2016.
In a troubling twist, Mafi reportedly disclosed to federal investigators that her first husband was affiliated with Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security, suggesting a deep-rooted connection to the Iranian regime.
Links to Sudan’s Ministry of Defence
The most alarming allegation against Mafi involves a transaction valued at over €60 million, which purportedly facilitated the sale of Iranian-made drones to Sudan’s Ministry of Defence. Sources suggest that Mafi personally earned a commission of €6 million for her role in coordinating travel arrangements for a Sudanese delegation to Iran.
Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war since 2023, a brutal conflict that has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands and the displacement of over 13 million individuals. The implications of arms trafficking in such a volatile environment raise profound concerns about the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the region.
Evidence and Social Media Footprint
Federal agents have collected substantial evidence during the investigation, including photos that allegedly depict Mafi with weapons in a warehouse in Turkey