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Feds Search 18 U.S. Firms in Probe of Iran Arms Shipments
Federal authorities on Thursday announced that 18 U.S. businesses were searched as part of a probe into arms shipments to Iran including components for fighter jets, missiles and other weapons. Agents with the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Defense Criminal Investigative Service also served seven grand jury subpoenas on the firms, but no charges were immediately brought and no arrests were made. The companies are suspected of violating the Arms Export Control Act by supplying prohibited military items to Multicore Ltd., a London-based front company that supplies the Iranian military, according to U.S. officials. The items include parts for Hawk missiles, F-14 Tomcat and F-4 Phantom fighters, C-130 Hercules transport planes and military radar. Multicore, also known as AKS Industries, has been under U.S. and British investigation since February 1999. "The lives of American war-fighters can be placed at direct risk through illegal transfer of military components," said Joseph Schmitz, Defense Department inspector general. Posted by: Steve 2003-07-10 |
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