Federal authorities have arrested a 44-year-old woman at Los Angeles International Airport on Saturday night as part of an investigation into arms trafficking linked to Iran’s alleged involvement in the Sudanese conflict. Shamim Mafi, who became a lawful permanent resident of the United States in 2016, is facing charges related to facilitating the export of military supplies to Sudan amidst its ongoing civil war.
### Arrest Details
Mafi was detained by officers from the FBI while she was at the airport. Visual documentation shared by First U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli shows an unidentified individual in an FBI jacket escorting Mafi into a sedan outside LAX. While efforts to ascertain a contact number for Mafi were unsuccessful, it remains unclear whether she has retained legal representation to respond to the charges against her.
### Allegations of Arms Trafficking
According to a criminal complaint filed on March 12, Mafi, along with an unnamed co-conspirator, allegedly operated a company named Atlas International Business based in Oman. The complaint outlines how the entity was reportedly involved in the trafficking of weapons and ammunition valued at over $7 million, with payments processed in 2025. This operation is said to have facilitated numerous sales, including significant quantities of military ordnance.
In one specific instance cited in court documents, Mafi and her co-conspirator arranged for the sale of 55,000 bomb fuses to the Sudanese Ministry of Defense. This transaction included a letter of intent submitted to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), indicating Mafi’s role in the procurement process for Sudan’s military.
### Context of the Sudanese Civil War
The allegations against Mafi occur against the backdrop of an ongoing civil war in Sudan, which has devolved into a humanitarian crisis marked by widespread displacement and food shortages. Millions of individuals have been forced to flee their homes as violence continues to escalate. The Sudanese Armed Forces have been engaged in combat with various factions for four years, contributing to instability in the region.
The international community has expressed concern over such arms deals, which exacerbate conflicts and further entrench humanitarian issues. The U.S. Department of Justice has been actively pursuing cases related to arms trafficking as part of its broader strategy to combat illegal arms transfers.
### Legal Proceedings Ahead
Mafi is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles on Monday. If convicted of the charges, she faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years in prison, signaling the serious nature of the allegations against her.
As the legal process unfolds, additional details about Mafi’s connections to the alleged trafficking network may emerge, contributing to ongoing discussions about international arms trade and its implications for global security and humanitarian issues.
Source: Original Reporting
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