A 76-year-old Texas man has been taken into custody on charges of smuggling parts and components used in the production of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as well as other manned aircraft, from the United States to Iran.
Gholam Reza Goodarzi aka Ron Goodarzi is a dual U.S. and Iranian citizen who resides in Porter. Authorities arrested him Aug. 30 at George Bush Intercontinental Airport upon the filing of a federal criminal complaint.
“For years, the defendant allegedly used proxy destinations to try to smuggle UAV components and other controlled technology to Iran, even concealing controlled items in his own luggage,” said Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division. “The Justice Department and our law enforcement partners are committed to vigorously enforcing export controls to protect U.S. national security.”
According to court documents, from Dec. 1, 2020, through July 5, 2024, Goodarzi illegally exported aircraft-related parts, in addition to oil and drilling components, to Iran. Goodarzi allegedly purchased U.S.-origin aircraft components from U.S.-based suppliers and then exported them to Iran – typically through Dubai, UAE. He also traveled to and from Iran multiple times per year and concealed aircraft parts and other items in his checked luggage, according to the charges.
Goodarzi also allegedly exchanged multiple emails with suppliers and customers, acknowledging that parts could not be shipped to Iran because of sanctions.
The complaint alleges that on several occasions, authorities searched Goodarzi’s luggage and found numerous aircraft parts and components hidden within articles of clothing. Some of the items allegedly had characteristics consistent with parts for the production of UAVs as well as parts with electrical motor and/or generator applications.
Goodarzi does not have the required licenses to export such items to sanctioned countries, including Iran, according to the complaint.
If convicted, he faces up to 10 years in federal prison and a possible $250,000 maximum fine.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here