Federal agents at Los Angeles International Airport arrested Shamim Mafi, a glamorous Woodland Hills businesswoman, on charges of orchestrating a massive arms trafficking network for the Iranian regime. The U.S. Department of Justice alleges that Mafi utilized her status as a permanent resident to funnel restricted military technology, including Mohajer-6 armed drones, to conflict zones.
Prosecutors claim that the 44-year-old suspect served as a critical operative by bypassing international sanctions through her Oman-registered company, Atlas International Business. These high-tech components and millions of rounds of ammunition were reportedly destined for the Sudanese Ministry of Defense to support ongoing regional violence.
The arrest occurs as President Donald J. Trump maintains a hardline stance against Tehran following the outbreak of direct hostilities earlier this year. Authorities believe that Mafi’s activities directly contributed to global instability by enhancing the reach of Iranian-manufactured weaponry during the current naval blockade.
During the apprehension at LAX on Saturday night, federal investigators intercepted Mafi as she prepared to board a flight to Istanbul. First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli indicated that digital evidence links the businesswoman to over sixty direct communications with Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security.
Legal experts suggest that this case represents a significant victory for the Trump administration’s efforts to dismantle illicit procurement networks embedded within the United States. If convicted of violating the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, Mafi faces a statutory maximum of twenty years in federal prison.
The Iranian government has not yet issued a formal response regarding the detention of the high-profile entrepreneur. Meanwhile, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has intensified its scrutiny of commercial travelers with ties to sensitive foreign industries to prevent further technology leaks.
This high-stakes arrest underscores the growing concern over dual-use technology falling into the hands of adversarial powers during the current Middle Eastern conflict. Security analysts warn that the sophisticated nature of Mafi's alleged operation highlights persistent vulnerabilities in the global supply chain for lethal hardware.
Defense attorneys for Mafi have maintained her innocence, suggesting that the transactions were legitimate commercial activities unrelated to prohibited military applications. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Monday afternoon at the U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles to address the charges.