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Project Shield

Investigations

The following are instances of investigations that have been successful under Project Shield in uncovering plans to either export or obtain technology from the U.S. For a more complete list of successful investigations, visit the SELECT ICE ARMS & STRATEGIC TECHNOLOGY INVESTIGATIONS fact sheet.

• Illegal Transfer and Export of Classified and Export Controlled Night Vision Technology: On March 27, 2007, based upon a joint ICE and Defense Criminal Investigative Service investigation, ITT Corporation pled guilty to two counts of violating the Arms Export Control Act. Under the terms of the plea, ITT was required to pay $100 million in penalties and forfeitures. ITT is the 12th largest supplier of sophisticated defense systems to the United States military. ITT's plea acknowledges their involvement in a scheme to outsource the production of some the most sophisticated pieces of the Generation III night vision system to foreign countries including China in order to reduce costs and enhance financial profits.
• Arms and Munitions destined to Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam: Beginning in March 2004, ICE undercover agents negotiated with Haji Subandi and his associates to illegally supply restricted military items to Iran, Vietnam, Laos, Indonesia, and Sri Lanka. In April 2006, Subandi began negotiating on behalf of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) for the purchase and export of weapons and ammunition. The LTTE is a Department of State designated foreign terrorist organization. Following undercover meetings, on September 28, 2006, ICE agents, with assistance from agents from the FBI, the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, and the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, arrested Subandi and two of his associates pursuant to the undercover negotiations. The following day, three additional co-conspirators were also arrested in Guam. Six subjects were indicted in the investigation for charges that included 22 USC 2778, conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act; 18 USC 2339(B), providing material support to a designated foreign terrorist organization; 18 USC 1956, money laundering; 18 USC 371, conspiracy; and 18 USC 2, aiding and abetting. To date, five of the six defendants have pleaded guilty. Further, in excess of $700,000.00 in currency was seized as a result of the investigation.
• U.S. Fighter Jet and Helicopter Components to China - On May 17, 2006, Ko-Suen Moo entered a guilty plea in U.S. District Court, Southern District of Florida to violations of the 22 USC 2778: Arms Export Control Act (AECA); 18 USC 371: conspiracy; and 18 USC 201 (b)(1)A): bribery of public official; 18 USC 951: acting as a foreign agent of a foreign government; and forfeited approximately $344,000. On July 25, 2006, MOO was sentenced to 78 months in prison and fined $1,000,000.00. Also, in excess of $344,000 in illegal proceeds were seized during the investigation. The plea and sentencing resulted from an ICE undercover operation, which identified Moo and Maurice Serge Voros, a French national currently living in France, as allegedly seeking to acquire controlled technology for export to the PRC. Pursuant to several undercover meetings, ICE agents determined that Moo and Voros were attempting to acquire F-16 military aircraft engines, Black Hawk helicopter engines, AGM-129 air-to-ground cruise missiles capable of delivering a nuclear warhead and air-to-air missiles for export from the United States to China without an export license. Moo met with undercover agents and negotiated a deal that would have resulted in the export of an F-16 engine to China.
• In September 2001, two individuals were sentenced in San Diego, CA for their roles in an international conspiracy to illegally purchase HAWK missile components, fighter jet parts, and other military goods for Iran. The 20-month Customs probe disclosed that the individuals were operatives of a London-based firm called Multicore Ltd. that was buying sensitive military items from a multitude of U.S. companies for export to Iran via Singapore.

• In February 1999, U.S. ICE Special Agents arrested two individuals for attempting to illegally export to China, Fiber optic gyroscopes purchased from a U.S. firm. These gyroscopes are critical in guidance and navigational systems for ballistic missiles and "smart" bombs. They are also used to stabilize weapons platforms. Both individuals later pleaded guilty in Boston.

• In June 1997, U.S. ICE Special Agents in Miami, FL arrested two Lithuanians for conspiring to smuggle U.S. Stinger missiles into the U.S. The arrests resulted from an undercover sting in which U.S. ICE Special Agents posing as drug traffickers offered to buy the Stingers. During the probe, the Lithuanians offered to sell the undercover Special Agents "suitcase" nuclear devices. The individuals were never able to produce nuclear devices, but both were convicted in Britain.