A Charlotte resident is facing 18 months behind bars after a failed attempt to smuggle firearms and ammunition through Charlotte Douglas International Airport security. The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina, Dena J. King, announced the sentencing for Ahmad Mohmad Elzein, who was caught trying to board an international flight to Beirut, Lebanon, with the contraband. After his prison term, Elzein is mandated to spend two more years under court supervision, as reported by the
U.S. Attorney’s Office
.
Elzein’s attempted concealment of the weaponry came to light during a TSA screening on July 30, 2023. The security officers at the airport found about $17,500 in his carry-on, leading to further inspection of his checked luggage. There, they discovered a stolen 9 mm pistol hidden in a boot, and a revolver ingeniously duct-taped within the lining of the suitcase. Ammunition was also located, wrapped up in a plastic baggie. When questioned, Elzein admitted his intentions to bring the firearms and ammunition to Lebanon to visit his family. However, he is now in federal custody, awaiting transfer to a federal penitentiary.
The cooperation of multiple agencies played as a critical role in bringing Elzein’s case to a close. The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Federal Air Marshal Service, the Transportation Security Administration, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department were all instrumental in the investigation, as per a statement from U.S. Attorney King. Elzein’s actions contravened laws on the transportation and shipment of firearms and ammunition, reasons enough for the significant sentence imposed.
The prosecution of Elzein was led by Assistant United States Attorney Robert Gleason, who took the case to its conclusion. The series of events and the eventual sentencing serve as a stark reminder of the rigor of transportation security measures, and the severe consequences of attempting to dodge these safety protocols. The collaboration among the different law enforcement bodies ensures such illicit activities don’t go unnoticed, contributing to the overall safety of travelers and the general public.
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