Indian citizen to be deported in missile plot case

Associated Press:

An Indian citizen caught in a U.S. government sting operation will be deported after cooperating in the prosecution of a businessman convicted of trying to smuggle into the United States shoulder-fired missiles capable of downing airliners.

Moinuddeen Ahmed Hameed, 41, pleaded guilty in 2004 to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. He was sentenced Monday in U.S. District Court to the 22 months he has already served since being arrested in New York on Aug. 12, 2003, Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Howe said.

Hameed was credited with helping the government's case against Hemant Lakhani, a British citizen who they say agreed to deliver a missile to U.S. agents posing as buyers after he obtained it from Russian agents posing as sellers.

Lakhani was convicted in April of attempting to provide material support to terrorists, unlawful brokering of foreign defense articles and attempting to import merchandise into the U.S. by means of false statements, and money laundering. He is to be sentenced in August.

Hameed was to be released to the custody of federal immigration officials and agreed in court to being deported, Howe said.

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