US to deport Indian in missile case

An Indian citizen who cooperated in the prosecution of a British businessman convicted of trying to smuggle into the United States shoulder-fired missiles capable of downing airliners will be deported.

Moinuddeen Ahmed Hameed, 41, pleaded guilty in 2004 to conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business.

He was sentenced on Monday in US District Court to the 22 months he has already served since being arrested in New York in a government sting on Aug. 12, 2003, Assistant US Attorney Brian Howe said.

• Lakhani speaks out

Hameed was credited with helping the government's case against Hemant Lakhani, a British citizen who authorities say agreed to deliver a missile to US agents posing as buyers after he obtained it from Russian agents posing as sellers.

Lakhani was convicted in April of attempting to provide material support to terrorists, unlawful brokering of foreign defence articles and attempting to import merchandise into the US by means of false statements, and money laundering. He is to be sentenced in August.

Hameed had agreed in court to being deported, Howe said.