Lebanese National Pleads Guilty To Illegally Exporting Drone Parts And Technology

United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty plea of USAMA DARWICH HAMADE, 55, for conspiring to illegally export goods and technology in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (“IEEPA”), the Export Administration Regulations, the Arms Export Control Act, and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

According to the defendant’s guilty plea and documents filed in court, from 2009 through 2011, HAMADE conspired with others to export goods and technology without obtaining the required export licenses from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of State, in violation of IEEPA, the Export Administration Regulations, the Arms Export Control Act, and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. HAMADE caused the purchase and export of inertial measurement units (“IMUs”) suitable for use in unmanned aerial vehicles (“UAVs”), a jet engine, piston engines, and recording binoculars.

This case is the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI, the U.S. Department of Commerce Office of Export Enforcement, and Homeland Security Investigations.

Assistant United States Attorneys John Docherty and David MacLaughlin are prosecuting the case.

Defendant Information:                                                                                                                     

USAMA DARWICH HAMADE, 55

Citizen of Lebanon and South Africa

Convicted:

• Illegal export conspiracy, 1 count

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United States Attorney’s Office, District of Minnesota: (612) 664-5600