The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) has uncovered a conspiracy by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally, Canadian media reported on Tuesday.
The plot was allegedly committed by the two men while working for the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a specialized United Nations agency with headquarters in Montreal.
The men essentially attempted to broker a deal between China and Libya for Chinese military equipment, specifically Chinese drones with large attack capabilities,” said RCMP Sergeant, Charles Poirier.
Poitier added that the drones “were not small ones; we’re talking small planes that have the capacity to carry missiles.”
The RCMP indicated that “using foreign front companies, the individuals behind the conspiracy allegedly circumvented existing international sanctions to facilitate illegal activities.”
The Canadian Sergeant said conspiracy charges had been filed against Fathi Mehwak, 61, and Mahmoud Mohammed Sayeh, 37, in accordance with the United Nations Act and its Regulations Implementing the United Nations Resolutions and Imposing Special Economic Measures on Libya.
“They also attempted to export Libyan crude oil from Libya to China,” said Poirier, adding this is also considered illegal in Canada under the UN Act.
After an investigation that started in 2022, Mahwak was arrested at his home on Tuesday by police and faces charges of conspiring “to facilitate purchases of Libyan oil between prohibited entities and the People’s Republic of China contrary to the United Nations Act.”
Sayeh, on the other hand, is considered wanted by police authorities, and a Canada-wide warrant has been issued for his arrest.
“According to the investigation, Mahmud Mohamed Elsuwaye Sayeh allegedly used a scheme that concealed military equipment sellers and buyers,” the RCMP notes. “The equipment is subject to UN sanctions related to Libya.”
