Iranian national arrested at LAX on suspicion of trafficking weapons on Iran government’s behalf

Federal authorities on Saturday night arrested an Iranian national at Los Angeles International Airport on suspicion of trafficking weapons on the Iranian government’s behalf, according to officials.

In a post to X, First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said Shamim Mafi, 44 of Woodland Hills, is expected to make an appearance in U.S. District Court on Monday afternoon in downtown Los Angeles. 

She’s accused of violating 50 U.S.C. § 1705, alleging that she brokered “the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses and millions of rounds of ammunition manufactured by Iran and sold to Sudan,” Essayli said.

Essayli said Mafi is an Iranian national, and that she became a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. in 2016.

Mafi could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison if convicted.