Iranian drug kingpin attempted 'murder-for-hire' plot on two who defected to US
A notorious Iranian drug lord was charged in relation to a murder-for-hire plot along with two Canadian nationals on Monday.
Naji Sharifi Zindashti, 49, a man previously involved in human trafficking, with deep connections to the Islamic Republic's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) has been charged with conspiracy to use interstate commerce in the commission of a murder-for-hire plot.
Zindashti’s charged co-conspirators are Damion Patrick John Ryan, 43, and Adam Richard Pearson, 29. The trio are said to be involved in a plot to murder two defectors from Iran, according to court documents, from December 2020 through March 2021.
Zindashti, Pearson and Ryan used an encrypted messaging service, “SkyECC”, to recruit people to travel to the US to carry out killings, discuss the identities and locations of targets and, plan murders, and negotiate payment for this “job” in Maryland. The intended victims of this plot, who at the time resided in Maryland, had previously fled to the United States. Zindashti currently resides in Iran. Ryan and Pearson are currently incarcerated in Canada on unrelated offences.
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Zindashti has been charged with conspiracy to use interstate commerce in the commission of a murder-for-hire plot (Naci Sherifi Zindashti)In the encrypted messages, Ryan said that a job in the US was challenging, but that he “might have someone to do it.” That same day he messaged Pearson about a “job” in Maryland. Pearson stated, “shooting is probably easiest thing for them,” and that he was “on it.” Ryan messaged that “2 guys go with proper equipment.”
Pearson said recruits for the job should “shoot [the victim] in the head a lot [to] make example” and that he would tell them “we gotta erase his head from his torso.”
Ryan also sent messages detailing the victim’s address and images of the victim. On around March 8, 2021, Ryan’s co-conspirator facilitated a $20,000 (£15,700) payment to Ryan for purposes of covering travel to carry out the plot.
Around January 30, 2021, Zindashti messaged Ryan who responded he was getting “things in order”. Zindashti and Ryan then agreed on a $350,000 (£275,00) payment for the “job.”
Zindashti, Pearson and Ryan used an encrypted messaging service, “SkyECC” (Iran International)At the time the Treasury Department took action against Zindashti’s criminal network that targets Iranian dissidents and opposition activists for kidnapping and assassination at the direction of the Iranian regime. Zindashti and several of his key associates are prohibited from engaging in any transaction or dealing that involves a U.S. person or occurs in the United States.
Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department’s National Security Division said: “To those in Iran who plot murders on U.S. soil and the criminal actors who work with them, let today’s charges send a clear message: the Department of Justice will pursue you as long as it takes – and wherever you are – and deliver justice.”
U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger for the District of Minnesota said: “As alleged, Mr. Zindashti and his team of gunmen, including a Minnesota resident, used an encrypted messaging service to orchestrate an assassination plot against two individuals. Thanks to the skilled work of federal prosecutors and law enforcement agents, this murder-for-hire conspiracy was disrupted and the defendants will face justice.”
The FBI is investigating the case with assistance from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. Assistant Director Suzanne Turner of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division said: “Today’s charges show a pattern of Iranian groups trying to murder U.S. residents on U.S. soil,” said Assistant Director Suzanne Turner of the FBI’s Counterintelligence Division. “Mr. Zindashti and his accomplices’ alleged plot is reprehensible, and the FBI will not tolerate such acts against U.S. residents, and we will continue to pursue these individuals until they are brought to the U.S. to face justice.”
His co-conspirtor said recruits for the job should “shoot [the victim] in the head a lot [to] make example” (Iran International)All three of the defendants are charged with one count of conspiracy to use interstate commerce facilities in the commission of murder-for-hire. Pearson is also charged with one count of possession of a firearm by a fugitive from justice and one count of possession of a firearm by an alien unlawfully in the United States.
Who is Naji Sharifi Zindashti?
Killer dances in his victim's house with twerking model who later turned on him
Naji Sharifi Zindashti is a notorious figure involved in drug and human trafficking, with deep connections to the Islamic Republic's Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) in Iran. Despite being convicted for drug-related charges and having killed a prison guard, Zindashti has managed to rise to prominence in the narcotics trade, allegedly with the support of the Iranian government militia.
Zindashti and his criminal network, known as "The Friends' Club," include senior IRGC officials, high-ranking members of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, managers from Tehran Municipality, and members of parliament. The IRGC's extensive reach and control over transit routes and logistics have reportedly facilitated Zindashti's dominance in Iran's drug market.
Iran International reported that Zindashti not only pays bribes but also supplies drugs, including opium and heroin, for the personal consumption of some senior officials within the IRGC and other government entities. His gangs are said to traffic more than 20 percent of drugs distributed across Iran, with about 35 percent of drugs being pushed in the capital, Tehran.
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Zindashti reportedly escaped from an Iranian prison and fled to Turkey, where he established a drug and human trafficking cartel. He has been accused of collaborating with Iranian intelligence agencies in various cases, including the abduction of Swedish-Iranian political activist Habib Chaab in 2020. Zindashti is also suspected of involvement in the assassination of Iranian dissident Masoud Molavi Vardanjani in Istanbul in 2019.
Despite his criminal record, Zindashti has managed to return to Iran and lead a free life. In December 2022, he was even honored by Iran's Education Ministry during a ceremony as one of the members of the Charity for School Constructions. Zindashti is the benefactor and CEO of the Zindashti Star Charitable Institute, involved in constructing shopping malls and schools
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