Two sources familiar with the investigation said that prosecutors are looking at whether Blackwater lacked permits for dozens of automatic weapons used at its training grounds in Moyock. The investigation is also looking into whether Blackwater was shipping weapons, night-vision scopes, armor, gun kits and other military goods to Iraq without the required permits.
U.S. probes Blackwater weapons shipments
Government looks into possible smuggling to Iraq, Staff Writer
The U.S. government is investigating whether private military contractor Blackwater USA, blamed for the deaths of 11 Iraqis in Baghdad on Sunday, has been shipping unlicensed automatic weapons and military goods to Iraq.
Two former Blackwater employees have pleaded guilty in Greenville to weapons charges and are cooperating with federal officials investigating Blackwater, based in the tiny town of Moyock in North Carolina's northeastern corner.
Blackwater, which guards the U.S. ambassador and other State Department personnel in Iraq, had its license to operate in Iraq suspended this week after Sunday's shooting at a busy Baghdad intersection. Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has said he favors barring the company permanently, calling the shooting "cold-blooded."
The case has been forwarded to a magistrate to determine whether criminal charges should be filed, an Interior Ministry spokesman said Friday.
Blackwater has said that the contractors were fired upon and were returning fire.
The State Department relies on Blackwater to protect its employees. The company deploys about 1,000 contractors as bodyguards for the U.S. ambassador and other diplomats in Iraq.
Blackwater declined a request for an interview Friday.
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