BIS Announces Export Suspensions for Illegal Sales of Weapons, Smuggling, More
The Bureau of Industry and Security on Nov. 21 suspended the export privileges of nine people and one company after they were convicted of export-related offenses, including illegal shipments involving guns, ammunition, blastic vests and more. The suspensions took effect from the date of their convictions.
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| Name | Reason | Length of Suspension | Other Penalties | Conviction |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Varun Maharajh | Convicted of attempting to export firearms and ammunition from the U.S. to the U.K. and Trinidad and Tobago without licenses | 10 years | 84 months in prison, three years of supervised release | Sept. 4, 2024 |
| Sadir Arvizu Velazquez | Convicted of attempting to export firearms from the U.S. to Mexico without a license | 10 years | 57 months in prison, one year of supervised release | April 3, 2024 |
| Ghacham Inc. | Convicted as part of a scheme to defraud the U.S.; pass false, forged and fraudulent invoices and other documents and papers through a U.S. customhouse; and carry out transactions involving a specially designated narcotics trafficker | 10 years | Five years' probation | March 18, 2024 |
| Mohamed Daoud Ghacham | Convicted as part of a scheme to defraud the U.S. and pass false, forged and fraudulent invoices and other documents and papers through a U.S. customhouse | 10 years | Four years in prison, three years of supervised release | March 18, 2024 |
| Miguel Ocura-Arenas | Convicted of facilitating the transportation and concealment of firearms and ammunition prior to export from the U.S. to Mexico, knowing they were intended for export without a license | 10 years | Four years in prison, three years of supervised release | Aug. 25, 2024 |
| Kevin Uriel Garza | Convicted of receiving, concealing, buying, selling or facilitating the transportation, concealment or sale of ammunition prior to the illegal export from the U.S. | 10 years | 37 months in prison, three years of supervised release | Sept. 12, 2024 |
| James Mwangangi Kiilu | Convicted of attempting to export firearms from the U.S. to Mexico without a license | 10 years | 52 months in prison, three years of supervised release | Feb. 1, 2024 |
| Pedro Mascorro | Convicted of smuggling firearms and ammunition from the U.S. to Mexico | 7 years | 30 months in prison, three years of supervised release | July 31, 2024 |
| Frederick Bergmann | Convicted of conspiring to export ballistic vests from the U.S. to Haiti without a license | 10 years | Nine years in prison, three years of supervised release | June 12, 2024 |
| Antonio Jose Melean Reyes | Convicted of smuggling firearms from the U.S. to Venezuela | 10 years | Six years in prison, three years of supervised release | May 3, 2024 |