Tag

Arms Trafficking

All articles tagged with #arms trafficking

world1 month ago•5 min saved

US Arrests Iranian National in LAX Case Linked to Iran-Sudan Arms Deals

A 44-year-old Iranian national with a US green card, Shamim Mafi, was arrested at Los Angeles airport for allegedly brokering the sale of Iranian-made drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds to Sudan's defence ministry, in violation of US sanctions. Prosecutors say she coordinated travel for a Sudanese delegation to Iran, received over €6 million, and prepared to broker a 55,000 bomb fuse deal via the IRGC; if convicted, she could face up to 20 years in prison. The case underscores clandestine arms-brokering networks fueling Sudan's war.

via BBC|

#arms-trafficking #drones #iran

world1 month ago•6 min saved

LAX arrest ties Woodland Hills woman to Iran-Sudan arms trade

Shamim Mafi, 44, of Woodland Hills, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on charges that she brokered Iran’s sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses and millions of rounds of ammunition to Sudan, using shell companies and cash transfers to evade sanctions; she allegedly worked with Iran’s intelligence service and faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted.

via Los Angeles Times|

#arms-trafficking #drones #federal-arrest

crime1 month ago•13 min saved

LAX arrest links LA woman to Iranian arms-trafficking case

A Los Angeles woman, Shamim Mafi, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on an Iranian arms-trafficking charge, as part of an ongoing investigation.

via AP News|

#arms-trafficking #arrest #crime

crime1 month ago•2 min saved

LAX Arrest Ties Woodland Hills Woman to Iran-Linked Arms Trafficking

A Woodland Hills woman, Shamim Mafi, 44, was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport on charges that she brokered the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses and millions of rounds of ammunition manufactured by Iran and sold to Sudan, allegedly on behalf of the Iranian government; she faces up to 20 years in federal prison if convicted, with an initial court appearance in downtown Los Angeles.

via ABC7 Los Angeles|

#arms-trafficking #arrest #crime

world9 months ago•1 min saved

Boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. Jailed in Mexico After Deportation from U.S.

Mexican boxer Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. has been deported to Mexico and is currently in a prison in Sonora after his arrest in the US, where he faces charges related to arms trafficking and organized crime, allegedly linked to the Sinaloa Cartel, though his family denies these accusations.

via Reuters|

#arms-trafficking #deportation #julio-cesar-chavez-jr

world10 months ago•3 min saved

Mexico President anticipates deportation for boxer Julio César Chávez Jr.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum expects boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. to be deported from the US to serve a sentence related to arms trafficking and organized crime, amid his arrest by ICE in Los Angeles and allegations linking him to the Sinaloa Cartel. Chávez, who overstayed a tourist visa, faces multiple charges including DUI and illegal possession of weapons, and is considered a public safety threat by US authorities.

via New York Post|

#arms-trafficking #deportation #julio-cesar-chavez-jr

world10 months ago•4 min saved

ICE Detains Mexican Boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. Amid Deportation Threat

Mexican boxer Julio César Chávez Jr. has an arrest warrant issued against him for organized crime and arms trafficking, following his detention by U.S. immigration authorities in California. The warrant, issued in Mexico, alleges his involvement with the Sinaloa Cartel and fraudulent immigration applications, amid ongoing legal and criminal investigations.

via The New York Times|

#arms-trafficking #arrest-warrant #julio-cesar-chavez-jr

international-affairs2 years ago•8 min saved

"Escalating Crisis in Haiti: Impact of US Guns and Unpunished Sexual Violence"

Gangs in Haiti, armed with American-made weapons, have overrun the country, leading to a humanitarian crisis. Despite efforts from the Biden administration, the illegal flow of U.S. guns to Haiti has worsened, with hundreds of thousands of illegal guns circulating in the country. The collapse of the government and porous borders have allowed gangs to control 90% of the capital, leading to a surge in violence and displacement. Efforts to crack down on arms trafficking include increased inspections at ports and prosecution of criminal smugglers, but more needs to be done to address the crisis and restore governance and order in Haiti.

via The Hill|

#arms-trafficking #biden-administration #gangs

politics2 years ago•4 min saved

Gal Luft, Accuser of Bidens, Faces Charges and Accusations of Chinese Ties

Gal Luft, an Israeli professor and think tank co-founder, has been indicted on charges of arms trafficking and conspiring to flout US sanctions on Iran. Luft, who claims to have information on the Bidens' alleged ties to Chinese military intelligence, has been a fugitive since February and believes the charges against him are politically motivated. Despite his emergence as a figure in the Republican-led campaign against the Bidens, there is no evidence that he spoke out against them prior to his arrest. Luft's lawyer suggests that prominent Democrats may try to have him killed, and he hopes to gain favor with the GOP in the hopes of a future presidential pardon.

via The Independent|

#arms-trafficking #biden-family #chinese-spy

politics2 years ago•4 min saved

DOJ Indicts GOP-Backed Biden 'Whistleblower' on Corruption Charges

Gal Luft, who was promoted by House Republicans as having evidence of corruption by the Biden family, has been indicted by federal prosecutors on charges of lobbying and sanctions violations, as well as brokering arms deals with China and Iran. Luft, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, is accused of violating the Arms Export Control Act and the Foreign Agents Registration Act by facilitating arms deals between Chinese companies, Iran, and countries in the Middle East. He is also alleged to have acted as an unregistered agent for China. Luft, who denies any wrongdoing, is currently a fugitive from justice and faces up to 100 years in prison if convicted.

via The New York Times|

#arms-trafficking #corruption #gal-luft

crime2 years ago•4 min saved

"Multiple Individuals Charged as Chinese Agents in US"

Gal Luft, co-director of a Maryland-based think tank, has been indicted on charges of unregistered advocacy of Chinese causes, violating Iranian sanctions, and making false statements to federal agents. Luft, who is currently a fugitive, allegedly engaged in multiple international criminal schemes, including acting as a broker for dangerous weapons and Iranian oil deals. The indictment also references his alleged involvement in recruiting a former high-ranking U.S. government official to make pro-China statements. House Republicans have promoted Luft's unsubstantiated claims about the Biden family's ties to China.

via NBC News|

#arms-trafficking #china #crime

politics2 years ago•3 min saved

"Alleged 'Whistleblower' Accusing Biden of China Corruption Charged as Chinese Agent"

Gal Luft, the co-director of the Institute for the Analysis of Global Security (IAGS), who has been presented by Republicans as a "missing" witness against President Joe Biden, has been charged with China-linked offenses, including failing to register as a foreign agent, arms trafficking, and violations of sanctions on Iran. Luft, who accuses Biden of China-linked corruption involving his son Hunter Biden, skipped bail in Cyprus in April while awaiting extradition. The charges are likely to fuel Republican attacks on the Bidens, potentially including attempts to bring about impeachment proceedings.

via The Guardian US|

#arms-trafficking #china-corruption #foreign-agent

crime2 years ago•2 min saved

DOJ Charges Missing Man for Providing FBI with Info on Biden Family's China Business

A fugitive who claimed to have provided the FBI with information on the Biden family's business dealings in China is facing charges of acting as an unregistered agent of China and seeking to broker the sale of Iranian oil in violation of sanctions. Gal Luft, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen, is accused of recruiting and paying a former high-ranking U.S. government official on behalf of principals based in China. He is also charged with brokering deals for Chinese companies to sell weapons to countries including Libya, the United Arab Emirates, and Kenya, and setting up meetings between Iranian officials and a Chinese energy company to discuss oil deals. Luft was arrested in Cyprus but fled after being released on bail.

via Fox News|

#arms-trafficking #biden-family #china-business-dealings

crime2 years ago•5 min saved

US Charges Fugitive Energy Analyst and 'Whistleblower' with China Ties and Arms Trafficking

The US Justice Department has unsealed charges against Gal Luft, the co-director of a Maryland think tank, accusing him of acting as an illegal arms broker and unregistered agent for the Chinese government. Luft is also accused of seeking to help China obtain Iranian oil in violation of US sanctions. He has become a key figure in Republican-led corruption investigations into President Joe Biden, accusing him and his family members of having improper financial arrangements with a China-controlled energy company. Luft, who is currently a fugitive, has denied the allegations and claims that the charges against him are politically motivated.

via USA TODAY|

#arms-trafficking #biden-family #chinese-agent

crime2 years ago•3 min saved

Charges Filed Against 'Whistleblower' Accusing Bidens of Corruption for Arms Trafficking and Foreign Agent Activities

A self-proclaimed "whistleblower" who accused the Bidens of corruption has been charged by the US Justice Department with arms trafficking, acting as a foreign agent for China, and violating Iran sanctions. Gal Luft, a dual citizen of the US and Israel, is accused of paying a former Trump adviser on behalf of Chinese principals without registering as a foreign agent. Prosecutors allege that he facilitated meetings between Iranian officials and a Chinese energy company to discuss oil deals, in violation of US sanctions. Luft is also accused of attempting to broker illicit arms transactions with Chinese individuals and entities. He was arrested in Cyprus but fled after being released on bail and is currently not in US custody. Luft claims the charges are baseless and accuses the Biden administration of targeting him as a whistleblower.

via The Independent|

#arms-trafficking #china #corruption