The World - News from Aug. 6, 1987

The British Customs service is investigating alleged illegal arms shipments to Iran and Iraq, and a new report said that up to 50 British companies could be involved. “Our inquiries involve a number of British companies but we are not prepared to name them,” the service said in a statement. The Financial Times, Britain’s leading business daily, said the investigations apparently have been going on at least since April and involve up to 50 British companies. The disclosure came after a television news report said that the alleged shipments included rockets, missiles, tanks and spare parts for fighter planes.