ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Federal immigration agents have seized an $8 million Bell helicopter they say was destined for shipment to Iran in violation of trade sanctions.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said Friday that agents initially grounded the helicopter in its Arlington, Texas, hangar in December.
On Thursday, they seized the aircraft owned by the Italian company Tiber Aviation.
Special agent John Chakwin Jr., in charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Dallas, says the case shows how U.S. export laws prevent "others from using our own technology against us."
Tiber has denied intending to ship the helicopter to Iran, according to court documents.
