2018 · District of Minnesota

Usama Darwich Hamade, Samir Ahmed Berro and Issam Darwich Hamade

Latest release: Lebanese National Sentenced To 42 Months In Prison For Illegally Exporting Drone Parts And Technology

The Case's Tie to Hezbollah, in the Government's Words

“According to the Indictment, from 2009 through December 2013, Usama Hamade, Berro and Issam Hamade willfully conspired to export and attempted to export from the United States to Lebanon, and specifically to Hizballah, goods and technology without obtaining the required export licenses from the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Department of State, in violation of IEEPA, the Export Administration Regulations, the Arms Export Control Act, and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.”

Defendants and Outcomes

• Usama Darwich Hamade Sentenced as of July 20, 2020

  “Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers and U.S. Attorney Erica H. MacDonald for the District of Minnesota today announced the sentencing of Usama Darwich Hamade, 55, to 42 months in prison, for conspiring to illegally export goods and technology in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the Export Administration Regulations, the Arms Export Control Act, and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.”

  U.S. Department of Justice, Lebanese National Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison for Illegally Exporting Drone Parts and Technology, press release, July 20, 2020, para. 2, justice.gov.

• Samir Ahmed Berro At large as of Feb. 16, 2018

  “Samir Ahmed Berro remains at large.”

  U.S. Department of Justice, Two Men Arrested and Charged With Illegally Exporting UAV Parts and Technology to Hizballah, press release, Feb. 16, 2018, para. 2, justice.gov.

• Issam Darwich Hamade Charged as of Feb. 16, 2018

  “The indictment of Usama Darwich Hamade, 53, Samir Ahmed Berro, 64, and Issam Darwich Hamade, 55, was announced today for their conspiring to illegally export goods and technology from the United States to Lebanon and to Hizballah, a designated foreign terrorist organization, in violation of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), the Export Administration Regulations, and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations.”

  U.S. Department of Justice, Two Men Arrested and Charged With Illegally Exporting UAV Parts and Technology to Hizballah, press release, Feb. 16, 2018, para. 2, justice.gov.

Exhibits

1. Exhibit 1

   U.S. Department of Justice, Two Men Arrested and Charged With Illegally Exporting UAV Parts and Technology to Hizballah, press release, Feb. 16, 2018, justice.gov.

   Fetched Oct. 20, 2026.

   Summary The U.S. Department of Justice announced the indictment of Usama Darwich Hamade, Samir Ahmed Berro, and Issam Darwich Hamade for allegedly conspiring to export goods and technology from the United States to Lebanon and Hezbollah without required licenses. Acting Assistant Attorney General Edward C. O’Callaghan and U.S. Attorney Gregory G. Brooker of the District of Minnesota made the announcement, and two defendants are in custody in South Africa while one remains at large.

2. Exhibit 2

   U.S. Department of Justice, Two Men Arrested And Charged With Illegally Exporting UAV Parts And Technology To Hizballah, press release, Feb. 16, 2018, justice.gov.

   Fetched Oct. 20, 2026.

   Summary The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota announced the indictment of three men for conspiring to export goods and technology from the United States to Lebanon and Hezbollah without required licenses, including UAV components, engines, and recording binoculars. The announcement states that the indictment charges Usama Darwich Hamade and Issam Darwich Hamade, who were in custody in South Africa, and Samir Ahmed Berro, who remained at large, with the case based on conduct alleged to have occurred from 2009 through December 2013.

3. Exhibit 3

   U.S. Department of Justice, Lebanese National Sentenced to 42 Months in Prison for Illegally Exporting Drone Parts and Technology, press release, July 20, 2020, justice.gov.

   Fetched Oct. 20, 2026.

   Summary The U.S. Department of Justice announced that Usama Darwich Hamade was sentenced to 42 months in prison for conspiring to illegally export U.S. origin goods and technology, including items suitable for use in uncrewed aerial vehicles, without required licenses. Chief Judge John R. Tunheim imposed the sentence in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, Minnesota, following Hamade’s guilty plea and court filings concerning conduct from 2009 through 2011.

4. Exhibit 4

   U.S. Department of Justice, Lebanese National Sentenced To 42 Months In Prison For Illegally Exporting Drone Parts And Technology, press release, July 20, 2020, justice.gov.

   Fetched Oct. 20, 2026.

   Summary The United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota announced that Usama Darwich Hamade was sentenced to 42 months in prison for conspiring to illegally export goods and technology, including drone related equipment, without required licenses. Chief Judge John R. Tunheim imposed the sentence in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota, with immediate deportation to follow.