A 44-year-old California woman, Shamim Mafi of Woodland Hills, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday night by federal agents.
Prosecutors allege she was involved in trafficking weapons on behalf of the Iranian government, arranging deals with contacts in Africa, including Sudan.
According to federal authorities, Mafi is accused of brokering the sale of drones, bombs, bomb components, and large quantities of ammunition. The charges were outlined by Bill Essayli, first assistant U.S. attorney for California’s Central District, in a statement posted online.
Mafi, an Iranian national and U.S. permanent resident since 2016, reportedly maintained a residence in the United States while frequently traveling to Iran, Turkey, and Oman.
A criminal complaint states she previously lived in Istanbul between 2013 and 2016. During an interview with federal officials, she said her first husband had been an officer in Iran’s Ministry of Intelligence and Security.
Investigators allege that Mafi and an unnamed associate arranged weapons deals through a company called Atlas International. These activities are said to have taken place in multiple locations, including California.
One deal described in the complaint involves the alleged sale of Iranian-made drones to Sudan’s Ministry of Defense, valued at more than €60 million. Authorities claim Mafi earned about €6 million for her role, which reportedly included coordinating travel for a Sudanese delegation to Iran.
Sudan has been embroiled in a civil war since 2023, a conflict that has caused massive civilian casualties and displaced millions.
Images cited in reports appear to show Mafi posing with weapons in a warehouse in Turkey, as well as spending time in California.
If convicted, she could face up to 20 years in federal prison.
