Pair accused of smuggling US arms to Iran

Two Taiwanese businessman were today indicted in the United States for conspiring to buy American weapons for Iran.

It was the latest in a string of arms smuggling schemes foiled after US authorities stepped up their activities after the September 11 attacks.

En-Wei Eric Chang and David Chu are accused of trying to buy early warning radar units, Cobra attack helicopters and US spy satellite photos for Tehran in violation of a US embargo.

Chu was arrested during a sting operation in Guam while Chang remains at large, authorities in Baltimore said.

“The object of the conspiracy was to enrich the defendants by shipping aircraft, helicopter, and weapons system parts to Iran through Taiwan and elsewhere,” the indictment said.

Authorities said the men first came to their attention after one contacted a Maryland company about buying spy satellite images of Tehran.

Federal agents then set up a fictitious business in Maryland which Chang contacted by e-mail, seeking to purchase the latest military night vision equipment, military helicopters and helicopter parts and other items used by pilots to detect enemy radar, US authorities alleged.

Authorities said they have foiled several other recent attempts by foreigners to smuggle US military materials, including parts for surface-to-air missiles, fighter jets and spy equipment, to locations like China, Pakistan and Iran.