BROOKLYN, NY – Maxim Larin, owner of multiple U.S.-based firearms parts companies, is facing federal charges after allegedly orchestrating a scheme to illegally funnel weapons parts and accessories to Kazakhstan, a known transshipment hub for goods ultimately bound for Russia. The eight-count indictment, unsealed today at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, paints a picture of deliberate deception and a blatant disregard for U.S. export regulations.
Larin, arrested this morning in Plantation, Florida, and appearing in Miami federal court, is charged with conspiracy to defraud the United States, conspiracy to violate the Export Control Reform Act, conspiracy to violate the Arms Export Control Act, attempted violation of the Arms Export Control Act, smuggling goods from the United States, and submission of false export information. The indictment details how Larin allegedly used his companies to sell export-controlled items to a co-defendant in Russia, routing the shipments through Kazakhstan to obscure their final destination.
“As alleged, Larin agreed to illegally ship export-controlled weapons parts and accessories, including a sophisticated target acquisition system, to Kazakhstan, a known transshipment location for equipment bound for Russia,” stated United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, Joseph Nocella, Jr. “He lied on export documents and intentionally misrepresented and concealed the true nature of the materials he was shipping.” Nocella vowed to “vigorously prosecute efforts to evade U.S. export regulations which threaten our national security and the security of our allies while benefitting Russia.”
The investigation, a collaborative effort involving Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry and Security (OEE), and other federal agencies, revealed a pattern of falsified export records and deceptive packaging. “Maxim Larin is accused of shipping weapons, parts and tactical accessories to countries that serve as pipelines for artillery destined for the Russian battlefield,” said HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “He allegedly violated export control, willingly mislabeled packaging and labeling, and further utilized deceptive practices to hide the contents of firearms parcels.”
OEE Special Agent in Charge Jonathan Carson emphasized the gravity of the alleged scheme, stating that Larin “conspired to unlawfully export weapons components, including an advanced target acquisition system, to Kazakhstan, a known diversion hub.” Carson underscored that the Bureau of Industry and Security, alongside its law enforcement partners, “will continue to vigorously enforce U.S. export control laws, protect our national security, and bring to justice those who attempt to violate them.”
Federal prosecutors are preparing to arraign Larin in the Eastern District of New York at a later date. Nocella’s office acknowledged the valuable assistance provided by the Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, HSI’s Miami Field Office, the United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The case serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing efforts to disrupt the flow of materials aiding Russia’s military capabilities and the lengths to which individuals will go to circumvent U.S. law for profit.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Organized Crime|Fraud & Financial Crimes
- Source: Official Source ↗
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