Woodland Hills Businesswoman Apprehended at LAX Over Alleged Iranian Weapon Shipments to Sudan

Shamim Mafi arrested at LAX for allegedly trafficking Iranian drones and bombs to Sudanese forces, violating federal sanctions and international law.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 20, 2026, 3:11 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Times of Israel

Federal Arrest Disrupts Transnational Arms Pipeline

Shamim Mafi, a resident of Woodland Hills and an Iranian national with U.S. permanent residency, was taken into custody on April 18, 2026, as she prepared to board a flight to Istanbul. According to First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, Mafi is charged with violating federal sanctions by facilitating the illicit transfer of military hardware, including armed drones and heavy munitions. The arrest was executed by FBI agents at the terminal, following a long-term investigation into her international business activities.

Omani Shell Company Funneled Millions in Military Sales

A criminal complaint filed in March details how Mafi and an unidentified co-conspirator allegedly utilized an Oman-registered firm, Atlas International Business, to mask their operations. Federal investigators claim the company served as a financial conduit, receiving more than $7 million in 2025 alone for the procurement of Iranian weaponry. Beyond the monetary transfers, Mafi is accused of directly coordinating with the Iranian Ministry of Intelligence and Security to secure contracts for Mohajer-6 armed drones, which are prominently used in modern asymmetric warfare.

Logistical Support for the Sudanese Armed Forces

The scope of the alleged trafficking extends to tens of thousands of bomb fuses and millions of rounds of ammunition destined for the Sudanese Ministry of Defense. Court documents reveal that Mafi submitted a formal letter of intent to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) to finalize these sales. Prosecutors assert that she lacked the legal authorization to conduct such sensitive military transactions, specifically under 50 U.S.C. § 1705, which governs international emergency economic powers and sanctions.