Los Angeles resident Mohammad Fazeli, 27, was arrested on March 16 and arraigned Monday in the West Coast city on charges of trying to ship more than 100 Honeywell sensors to Iran.
“According to the manufacturer, the sensors, which detect the pressure of liquid or gas, could potentially be used to detonate explosive devices,” the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) said in a statement.
The three-count indictment alleges that in September 2004 Fazeli ordered 103 pressure sensors through a website operated by a US electronics company, despite being warned by the firm that he needed a license in order to export the devices.
“Despite that, after receiving the parts, Fazeli allegedly attempted to send them to the United Arab Emirates, with the understanding that the devices would ultimately be shipped to Iran,” ICE said.
The planned shipment allegedly breached the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which since the late 1970s has barred the shipment of technology to Iran’s Islamic regime without the express permission of US authorities.
“In the wrong hands, components like these pressure sensors could be used to inflict harm upon America or its allies,” said Kevin Kozak, deputy special agent in charge for ICE investigations in Los Angeles.
