Mohammad Jawaid Aziz, a Pakistani-Canadian national, has been arrested for allegedly running a scheme to smuggle millions of dollars’ worth of American technology to entities associated with Pakistan’s military and weapons programmes. The 67-year-old was apprehended on March 21 in Washington while trying to enter the US from Canada. He faces charges related to violating US export control laws, with potential penalties of up to 20 years in prison.
According to the indictment, Aziz operated an illegal procurement network through his company Diversified Technology Services from 2003 to 2019. The network aimed to acquire US-origin goods for restricted entities in Pakistan linked to the country’s nuclear, missile, and UAV programmes. Aziz allegedly obtained sensitive items subject to export regulations from American companies on behalf of these prohibited entities.
To conceal the true end-users of the goods, Aziz and his co-conspirators used front companies and third countries to evade detection by US authorities. The Department of Justice has stated that Aziz’s actions violated the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and Export Control Reform Act.
Aziz, who remains in custody pending transfer to Minnesota, faces serious charges for his alleged involvement in illegal activities that undermine US export control laws. The case highlights the importance of monitoring and enforcing laws to prevent the illicit transfer of sensitive technologies to unauthorized entities.
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