Los Angeles Woman Arrested for Alleged Arms Trafficking to Sudan

Sun Apr 19 2026 23:10:47 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time)

Shamim Mafi, a 44-year-old Iranian national, faces serious charges for allegedly facilitating the sale of weapons from Iran to the Sudanese military amid an ongoing civil war.

Shamim Mafi was arrested at LAX, accused of brokering arms deals worth millions to the Sudanese Armed Forces. This includes supplying drones, bombs, and ammunition during Sudan's civil war, which has caused a severe humanitarian crisis. If convicted, Mafi faces up to 20 years in prison.

LOS ANGELES (AP) — A 44-year-old woman from Los Angeles, Shamim Mafi, was arrested Saturday night at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on suspicion of facilitating arms trafficking to Sudan amid a brutal civil war that is now in its fourth year.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office announced that Mafi allegedly brokered a deal for the sale of drones, bombs, bomb fuses, and millions of rounds of ammunition between Iran and the Sudanese Armed Forces. If convicted, she faces a maximum of 20 years in prison.

Mafi, an Iranian national who became a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. in 2016, was reportedly connected to a company in Oman, Atlas International Business, which facilitated these transactions. Court documents claim that the company received over $7 million in payments in 2025.

The humanitarian crisis in Sudan continues to escalate, with food shortages exacerbating the struggles of millions displaced by the conflict. Mafi is scheduled to appear in U.S. District Court on Monday.