Russia
Five Russian Nationals and Two Venezuelan Oil Traders Charged in Global Sanctions Evasion and Money Laundering Scheme (DOJ) Those involved. Yury Orekhov, Artem Uss, Svetlana Kuzurgasheva, Timofey Telegin, and Sergey Tulyakov (Russian Nationals); Juan Fernando Serrano Ponce (Spanish National); and Juan Carlos Soto (Venezuelan National).
Charges with penalties. A 12-count indictment (a maximum of 30 years in prison).
What happened? The DOJ unsealed a 12-count indictment on October 19, alleging the defendants laundered millions for Russian oligarchs, smuggled hundreds of millions of barrels of oil, and illegally obtained U.S. military equipment. One defendant, Orekov, part owner and CEO of the German industrial equipment company Deutsche Industrieanlagenbau GmbH, used his company as a front to procure sensitive technologies from U.S. manufacturers, including advanced semiconductors and microprocessors used in fighter aircraft, missile systems, and smart munitions for Russian end-users. The scheme was highly complex, involving falsified shipping documents, a complicated web of shell companies, and even international couriers to obtain bulk cash.
Read the indictment here. Read the press release here.
Notably. The indictment provides a window into the underworld of international criminal syndicates involved in evading Russian sanctions. Both Orekhov and Uss have been arrested according to U.S. request.
European Nationals and Entities Indicted for Violating U.S. Laws for Their Attempt to Export a Dual-Use High-Precision Jig Grinder to Russia (DOJ) Those involved. Eriks Mamonovs, Vadims Ananics, and Janis Uzbalis (Latvian Nationals); CNC Weld (Latvian Entity); Stanislav Romanyuk (Ukrainian National); BY Trade OU (Entity of Estonia); other individuals in Russia and a Russian entity. Charges with penalties. Conspiracy (maximum of five years); Violation of the Export Control Reform Act (maximum of 20 years); Smuggling Goods from the United States (maximum of 10 years); International Money Laundering Conspiracy (maximum of 20 years); and Making False Statements to the DOC (maximum of 5 years). What happened? On October 19, the DOJ unsealed an indictment alleging Mamonovs, Amanics, Uzbalis, and Romanyuk conspired to smuggle a high-precision jig grinder into Russia. The Connecticut-made jig grinder has dual-use applications, as it can be used in nuclear proliferation and other defense programs. While the jig grinder does not require an export license to many countries, including the European Union, it does require a license for export to Russia. The United States, working with Latvian law enforcement, intercepted the jig grinder before its re-export to Russia. Ananics, Mamonovs, Uzbalis, and Romanyuk were all arrested.
Read the press release here.
Notably. The indictment demonstrates the long-arm of U.S. export controls, and the U.S. government’s willing to take enforcement action related to conduct occurring anywhere in the world – including with the support of regulators in allied countries. An export or re-export of U.S.-origin items need not involve U.S. citizens or entities for arrests to be made and penalties enforced.
2 International Trade Enforcement Roundup |
Powered by FlippingBook