USAMA DARWICH HAMADE, Illegally Exporting Drone Parts, Minnesota 2011

MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA - In a shocking turn of events, USAMA DARWICH HAMADE, 55, a Lebanese national and South African citizen, has pleaded guilty to conspiring to illegally export goods and technology in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”), the Export Administration Regulations, the Arms Export Control Act, and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

According to court documents, HAMADE conspired with others to export goods and technology without obtaining the required export licenses from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of State, from 2009 through 2011. This egregious offense resulted in the purchase and export of inertial measurement units (“IMUs”) suitable for use in unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAVs”), a jet engine, piston engines, and recording binoculars.

The case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Export Enforcement, and Homeland Security Investigations. Assistant United States Attorneys John Docherty and David MacLaughlin are prosecuting the case.

Defendant Information: USAMA DARWICH HAMADE, 55, Citizen of Lebanon and South Africa, Convicted: Illegal export conspiracy, 1 count.

The exact date of the crime is not specified, but it occurred between 2009 and 2011. The outcome of the case is that HAMADE has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.

This is a stark reminder of the severity of export control laws and the consequences of violating them. The public is urged to report any suspicious activity to the authorities.

For more information, contact the United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota at (612) 664-5600.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/lebanese-national-pleads-guilty-illegally-exporting-drone-parts-and-technology