Federal authorities arrested Markos Baghdasarian, former president of Delfin Group USA LLC, as he was boarding a plane at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport in Atlanta on Saturday. The plane was bound for the United Arab Emirates.

As reported in the April 17, 2012 issue of JobbersWorld, The Bureau of Industry and Security, U.S. Department of Commerce, through its Office of Export Enforcement (OEE), issued an Order temporarily denying the Delfin Group USA LLC, and it’s president, Markos Baghdasarian, for a period of 180 days, the export privileges under the Export Administration Regulations. The Order was effective February 25, 2012.

According to the BIS Order, the OEE presented evidence that beginning in or about mid-2010, and continuing thereafter, Delfin Group USA LLC and its president, Markos Baghdasarian, conspired with multiple entities and individuals, including entities and individuals located in the United Arab Emirates (UEA) to export U.S.-origin items subject to the Regulations from the United States to Iran, via transshipment through the UAE, without obtaining the required authorization from the U.S. Government.

In addition, the Order says the OEE presented evidence that Delfin and Baghdasarian used Bagdel Corporation, a freight forwarding company, to facilitate the export and attempted export of the items-polymers and lubricating oils or oil additives, including aviation engine lubricating oils-from the United States to Iran via the UAE. Baghdasarian is also the chief executive officer of Bagdel.