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Lebanese man arrested in Iowa-based gun smuggling scheme

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – A man from Lebanon has been arrested in connection with a scheme to smuggle guns purchased in Iowa to his country.

Federal authorities arrested 42-year-old Fadi Yassine this week as he got off a flight in New York City.

He made a court appearance Monday in Brooklyn, New York and will be transferred to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to face charges of conspiring to violate the Arms Export Control act.

Four Cedar Rapids residents with ties to Lebanon were sentenced to prison for their role in the conspiracy last year.

Investigators say that Yassine purchased guns in Lebanon that the Iowa residents had shipped there, and told one of the conspirators which guns to purchase. Yassine is also accused of giving one of the conspirators $30,000 cash to buy more guns.

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