WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal prosecutors say that a Maryland businessman has pleaded guilty to conspiring to export to Pakistan materials and equipment that can be used in nuclear reactors.

Nadeem Akhtar, 46, of Silver Spring, Md., has been accused of trying to sell $400,000 radiation detectors, calibration devices and other restricted nuclear-related equipment to Pakistan, which is thought to have about 100 nuclear warheads. Akhtar is the owner of Computer Communications USA of Columbia, Md.

Although Pakistan is an ally of the United States in the war in Afghanistan, the U.S. has banned exports to government organizations involved in Pakistan’s nuclear weapons programs, including its Atomic Energy Commission.

Prosecutors said Friday Akhtar remains in custody and faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

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