China allegedly planned to send $1 billion worth of armed drones to Libya, reportedly using a UK-based shell company to bypass a United Nations arms embargo, according to The Telegraph.

The scheme, as reported by The Telegraph, aimed to supply up to 92 drones that could carry multiple missiles, disguised as coronavirus aid, in exchange for discounted Libyan crude oil. This initiative was part of China's strategy to influence Libya, resolve its civil war quickly and gain economic benefits from the resource-rich country.

According to The Telegraph, the startling specifics of this operation were eventually revealed by an ongoing inquiry in Canada, where the relevant authorities have named three suspected coconspirators who participated in the negotiations while employed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).

Between 2018 and 2021, a series of shocking emails exposed plans to use a network of shell companies in the UK, Egypt and Tunisia for financial transactions. The investigation suggested that the Chinese government likely approved this secret operation to hide its involvement, according to The Telegraph. As part of the investigation, two men in Canada were charged with conspiracy related to selling Libyan oil and military equipment. 

China reportedly planned to send $1 billion worth of armed drones to Libya through a UK-based shell company to bypass a United Nations arms embargo. Details of this operation came to light during an ongoing investigation in Canada, where authorities identified three people accused of being involved in the negotiations while working at the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO).