Arrest Made in Illegal Sale of F-5 and F-14 Fighter Jet and Chinook Helicopter Parts

The Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security announced Thursday that Jilani Humayun, also known as “Zach H.” and “S. Humayun,” was arrested on charges of violating the Arms Export Control Act and conspiracy to commit mail fraud and launder money in the amount of $357,085.

In short, the news release alleges that Humayun formed a company through which he illegally exported F-5 and F-14 fighter jet and Chinook helicopter parts to a company in Malaysia. In addition, Humayun allegedly admitted he attached a lesser value to the shipments on his export paperwork, enabling the Malaysian company to avoid paying Malaysian customs duties.

The news release says that, according to the Complaint, Humayun was working for an aviation parts company in 2003 when the company applied to the State Department for an export license to send military equipment on the Munitions List to the Malaysian company. The application was denied because the receiving company was considered by the U.S. State Department to be an unreliable recipient of items on the Munitions List. This letter of denial was sent to Humayun’s employer, but to Humayun’s attention.

After the State Department denial, Humayun formed his own company, which he named Vash International, Inc., purportedly for the purpose of export management of items including tanks, guided missiles and rocket launchers. The Complaint says that between January 2004 and May 2006, Humayun’s company exported F-5 and F-14 fighter jet and Chinook helicopter parts, all on the Munitions List, to the Malyasian company.

Humayun was interviewed by federal agents in August 2006 and allegedly admitted he was familiar with the Munitions List and knew that items on the List cannot be exported without a license and company registration with the United States Department of State, Directorate of Defense Trade Controls. Allegedly, Humayun did not apply for the necessary export licenses; neither did he register. Further, Humayun allegedly said he did not know who the “end users” were of the items that his company shipped to the Malaysian company, which he said was his biggest customer.

Michael J. Garcia is the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York. Regarding the serious nature of this alleged enterprise, he said in the news release: “The prosecution of those within the United States who illegally export military equipment and sensitive technologies to foreign entities is one of our most critical national security initiatives. The details of the crime with which Jilani Humayun is charged are particularly disturbing, as he is alleged to have knowingly shipped technology as dangerous as F-5 and F-14 parts to Malaysia without any regard for the ultimate destination. As is well-documented in public reports, the sole customer of F-14 parts is the Iranian Air Force.”

HUMAYUN, 59, is a resident of Lynbrook, New York, and was arrested at his home on July 19.

The new release also reminds readers that the charges and allegations contained in the Complaint against the Humayun are merely accusations, and Humayun is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Source:

News release, United States arrests Long Island man for illegally exporting aviation parts for F-5 and F-14 military fighter jets; http://www.bis.doc.gov/News/2007/fighterJets.html