Merdad Ansari, Illicit Exportation, Texas 2023

A 38-year-old Iranian national has been extradited to the Western District of Texas to face federal charges related to a scheme to obtain military sensitive parts for Iran in violation of the Iranian Trade Embargo.

Merdad Ansari, a resident of the United Arab Emirates, was extradited from Georgia on Saturday and arrived in San Antonio to face charges, announced Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers, U.S. Attorney John F. Bash for the Western District of Texas, and other federal officials.

Ansari is charged with conspiracy to violate the Iranian Transactions Regulations (ITR), conspiracy to launder money, and conspiracy to commit wire fraud. His co-defendant, Mehrdad Foomanie, also known as Frank Foomanie, remains a fugitive in this case.

According to the indictment, Foomanie bought or attempted to buy items in the U.S. and arranged to have them unlawfully shipped to Iran through his companies in Iran, Hong Kong, and China. Ansari allegedly attempted to transship and transshipped cargo obtained from the U.S. using his company, Gulf Gate Sea Cargo L.L.C., located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.

The parts in question had dual-use military and civilian capability and could be used in systems such as nuclear weapons, missile guidance and development, secure tactical radio communications, offensive electronic warfare, military electronic countermeasures, and radar warning and surveillance systems.

Ansari's extradition marks a significant step in the investigation, which has been ongoing since June 2012. His co-defendant, Susan Yip, was sentenced to two years in federal prison in October 2012 after pleading guilty to conspiring to violate the ITR.

The case is a prime example of the dangers of violating trade embargoes and the importance of protecting national security. The FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and other federal agencies worked together to ensure Ansari could be brought to justice.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-wdtx/pr/iranian-national-extradited-western-district-texas-illegally-exporting-military