Belgian arms trader jailed in Alabama

[Heidi]

Source: Los Angeles Times

In a six-count federal indictment, Jacques Monsieur is accused of trying to help Iran get fighter jets. How Mobile, Ala., fits in isn't totally clear.

September 4, 2009

Reporting from Washington - The alleged arms deal involved sit-down meetings in Paris and London, a front company in Kyrgyzstan and shipments via Colombia to the ultimate destination, Iran.

But today, the notorious Belgian trafficker charged with arranging the scheme finds himself in a federal jail in Mobile, Ala.

U.S. authorities say Jacques Monsieur, a swashbuckling 56-year-old known as "the Fox" and "the Field Marshal," conspired with an undercover agent to buy engines and parts for F-5 fighter planes for Iran.

Monsieur faces a six-count federal indictment, unsealed Wednesday, that includes charges of money laundering, smuggling and violating laws against exporting arms to Iran. He has not yet been arraigned.

Investigators arrested Monsieur last week while he was in New York on his way to France, where he lives, officials said. He becomes the latest in a string of high-rollers to fall victim to global undercover arms-trafficking operations by U.S. agents.


Read more: http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-iran-arms4-2009sep04,0,2337631.story

[nealmhughes]

1. Most likely the Port of Mobile.

When the NOLA docks were not functioning, Tampa, Houston, and especially Mobile had to pick up the slack. Mobile used to be the main 'nanner docks in the country. It is a straight shot south to Merida from Mobile.