Weapons Trader Allegedly Tied to China, Iran

WASHINGTON, Jan. 31, 2008— -- A weapons trader wanted by multiple federal agencies for allegedly selling sensitive technology to Iran was arrested late last month, court documents and a U.S. government official confirm to ABC News.

On Dec. 24, Laura Wang-Woodford entered the United States to visit her elderly mother for the holidays -- but Customs agents at San Francisco International Airport were waiting to arrest her upon her arrival from Singapore.

Wang-Woodford, who was wanted by the FBI, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other U.S. authorities, runs a firm in Singapore called Monarch Aviation.

She has allegedly earned millions from her deals but had eluded U.S. law enforcement until her arrest. U.S. government officials say she has been selling munitions to Iran for more than 16 years.

She and her husband, U.K. national Brian Woodford, were indicted in 2003 by a federal grand jury in New York. The indictment remained under seal until late last year.

According to the indictment, the Woodfords sold sensitive munitions technology to Iran through Monarch.

One official briefed on the matter at the time of her arrest said Wang-Woodford was in possession of several items showing recent deals made by Monarch and documents relating to Chinese missile systems.

A letter filed with the court today by the U.S. Attorney's office for the Eastern District of New York mentions Wang-Woodford's travel to China and says she was in possession of a catalogue dealing with surface-to-air missile systems and rocket launchers.

"An examination of the defendant's luggage revealed two merchandise catalogues from the China National Precision Machinery Import and Export Corporation ("CPMIEC")," the letter says. "The United States Treasury Department has specifically designated CPMIEC as a Weapons of Mass Destruction proliferator. Due to this designation, all United States persons and entities are strictly prohibited from engaging in business with CPMIEC."

The letter also describes Monarch's alleged sales of banned munitions to Iran for Chinook helicopters and other aviation equipment.

"Specifically, the defendant illegally exported vane assemblies and bevel gears which are designed for Chinook military helicopters," it says.