BROOKLYN, NY – Maxim Larin, owner of multiple U.S.-based firearms parts companies, is facing federal charges after allegedly orchestrating a scheme to illegally ship weapons components and accessories to Kazakhstan – a known transshipment point for materials ultimately destined for Russia. Larin was arrested this morning in Plantation, Florida, and made his initial court appearance in Miami. He’ll be arraigned later in the Eastern District of New York.
An eight-count indictment, unsealed today at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, details a conspiracy to defraud the United States, violate the Export Control Reform Act and the Arms Export Control Act, attempt violations of the latter, smuggle goods, and submit false export information. The feds allege Larin knowingly bypassed U.S. export regulations to supply a co-defendant based in Russia with critical parts, including a “sophisticated target acquisition system.”
“As alleged, Larin agreed to illegally ship export-controlled weapons parts and accessories…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” such efforts, framing them as a direct threat to U.S. national security and the security of its allies.
The investigation, a collaborative effort between multiple agencies, revealed Larin allegedly used his companies to facilitate the illicit sales. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Special Agent in Charge, Ricky J. Patel, minced no words: “Maxim Larin is accused of shipping weapons, parts and tactical accessories to countries that serve as pipelines for artillery destined for the Russian battlefield. He allegedly violated export control, willingly mislabeled packaging and labeling, and further utilized deceptive practices to hide the contents of firearms parcels.”
The Bureau of Industry and Security’s (OEE) Special Agent in Charge, Jonathan Carson, echoed Patel’s sentiments, highlighting the advanced technology involved. “As set forth in the charging documents, Larin conspired to unlawfully export weapons components, including an advanced target acquisition system, to Kazakhstan, a known diversion hub,” Carson stated. “He further sought to conceal the nature of the shipment by falsifying export records.”
Federal prosecutors are building a case that Larin knowingly and willingly circumvented U.S. laws for profit, potentially fueling the ongoing conflict. Nocella’s office received assistance from 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 investigation remains ongoing, and further arrests are possible. Larin faces a significant prison sentence if convicted on all charges.
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Key Facts
- State: New York
- Agency: DOJ USAO
- Category: Weapons|Organized Crime|Public Corruption
- Source: Official Source ↗
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