- Mohammad Jawaid Aziz was arrested for smuggling U.S. goods to Pakistan. The 67-year-old, with dual citizenship in Pakistan and Canada, faces charges of conspiracy to violate U.S. export laws and could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted.
- He used his Canadian-based company to disguise the final destination of U.S. goods, smuggling millions of dollars worth of products to Pakistan’s military and weapons programs.
- U.S. export laws restrict technology to certain entities in Pakistan.
Full Story
On March 28, the Department of Justice announced the arrest of a 67-year-old man with dual citizenship in Pakistan and Canada. He was charged with smuggling banned goods for organizations linked to Pakistan’s military and weapons programs. For 15 years, the DOJ said Aziz smuggled millions of dollars worth to Pakistan’s nuclear, missile and unmanned aerial vehicle programs.
Mohammad Jawaid Aziz, also known as Jawaid Aziz Siddiqui or by the alias Jay Siddiqui, is facing charges of conspiracy to violate U.S. export laws and for running an illicit network aimed at acquiring American goods to ship to Pakistan. If convicted, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
What’s restricted?
Certain government and business entities in Pakistan are restricted from receiving advanced U.S. technology, as outlined by the International Trade Administration. The U.S. enforces export controls on dual-use goods and less sensitive military items under the Export Administration Regulations to protect national security and advance foreign policy objectives.
The U.S. Department of Commerce closely monitors exports to ensure that items with the potential to enhance the military capabilities or nuclear development of other nations are carefully restricted.
Siddiqui ran the illicit network for 15 years
According to the press release, between 2003 and March 2019, Siddiqui used his company in Canada, Diversified Technology Services, to conceal where the U.S. goods were going.
Siddiqui and his coconspirators used false companies or shipped them to a third country to avoid detection by authorities. Federal officials allege the U.S. companies he bought products from never knew they would fall into the hands of a prohibited user in Pakistan.
The DOJ announced that Siddiqui was arrested on March 21 while attempting to enter the U.S. from the Canadian border. He is currently in custody in Seattle and awaiting transfer to Minnesota for a court appearance.
