Texas Resident Smuggled UAS, Oil & Gas Components For Years

A 76-year-old resident of Porter, Texas, was arrested at George Bush International Airport (KIAH) in Houston on August 30 on suspicion of smuggling sensitive technology to Iran. Gholam Reza Goodarzi holds dual citizenship of Iran and the U.S.

He appeared in federal court in the Southern District of Texas September 3 and was charged with smuggling components and parts used to produce both piloted aircraft and uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) from the U.S. to Iran. Court documents state that since December 2020, Goodarzi illegally smuggled or exported aircraft-related parts in addition to components used in oil and gas exploration and drilling. He is alleged to have purchased the items from suppliers in the U.S. and shipped them to Iran, usually through Dubai, UAE. He also traveled to and from Iran multiple times per year during the same period and carried concealed aircraft parts in his checked baggage. Goodarzi does not have the licenses required to export these items to a sanctioned country.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division said, “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.”

U.S. Attorney Alamdar S. Hamdani for the Southern District of Texas stated, “Smuggling aircraft parts into Iran endangers U.S. national security by potentially enhancing Iran's military capabilities, enabling them to advance their aerial combat potential, increase regional power and threaten U.S. allies and interests in the Middle East. This prosecution represents my office’s core commitment – in partnership with the Justice Department’s National Security Division, FBI and Customs and Border Protection – to disrupt and hold accountable Goodarzi’s alleged efforts to evade sanctions against Iran, a hostile nation.”

If Goodarzi is convicted he could be imprisoned for up to 10 years for smuggling as well as receive a fine of $250,000.

FMI:  www.justice.gov/