Joint Investigation Prevented Iran from Obtaining U.S. Jet Engines.
Amparo Echeverri-Valdes and Carlos Pantoja-Coral allegedly conspired to sell a total of 22 J-85 jet engines for export to Iran, and to help export the engines from Miami to Iran through Panama. The U.S. Iran Embargo prohibits exportation of any goods, technology, or services from the U.S to Iran, with limited exceptions. On September 2, 2011, both defendants pleaded guilty to one count a piece of conspiring to export fighter jet engines from the U.S. to Iran. On December 16, 2011, Echeverri-Valdes and Pantoja-Coral were each sentenced to 24 months incarceration. This investigation was conducted jointly by DCIS and Homeland Security Investigations.