Firearms Parts Dealer Arrested for Scheme to Illegally Export Weapons Parts and Firearms Accessories to Kazakhstan

BROOKLYN, NY – Earlier today, at the federal courthouse in Brooklyn, an eight-count indictment was unsealed charging Maxim Larin for his involvement in a scheme to illegally export weapons parts and accessories from the United States to other countries, including Kazakhstan, which serve as transshipment points for materials destined for Russia.  The indictment charges Larin 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. Larin was arrested this morning in Plantation, Florida and made his initial appearance in federal court in Miami. He will be arraigned in the Eastern District of New York at a later date.

Joseph Nocella, Jr., United States Attorney for the Eastern District of New York, John A. Eisenberg, Assistant Attorney General for the Justice Department’s National Security Division, Ricky J. Patel, Special Agent in Charge, Homeland Security Investigations, New York (HSI New York), and Jonathan Carson, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Export Enforcement (OEE), Bureau of Industry and Security, New York Field Office, announced the arrest and charges.

“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.  He lied on export documents and intentionally misrepresented and concealed the true nature of the materials he was shipping,” stated United States Attorney Nocella. “My Office will vigorously prosecute efforts to evade U.S. export regulations which threaten our national security and the security of our allies while benefitting Russia.  We will continue to use every tool at our disposal to hold accountable those individuals who place their own interests above those of our nation and its security.”

Mr. Nocella expressed his appreciation to the Department of Defense Criminal Investigative Service, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Florida, HSI’s Miami Field Office, United States Postal Service Office of Inspector General, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection for their valuable assistance.

“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. Make no mistake: this unlawful activity would have persisted if not for the collaborative law enforcement efforts that led to today's charges,” stated HSI New York Special Agent in Charge Patel. “HSI New York remains committed to utilizing our unique authorities to relentlessly pursue individuals who seek to exploit U.S. export control laws and in turn threaten public safety and national security.”

“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,” stated OEE Special Agent in Charge Carson.  “He further sought to conceal the nature of the shipment by falsifying export records. The Bureau of Industry and Security, together with our 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.”

As alleged in the indictment and other public filings, Larin is the owner of several U.S. based companies which sell firearms parts and accessories.  Larin used his companies to sell export-controlled weapons parts and accessories to a co-defendant based in Russia.  Larin agreed to ship the items to Kazakhstan in violation of U.S. export control laws which restrict the export of certain items deemed detrimental to U.S. foreign policy or national security.  Beginning as early as December 2022, Larin agreed with his Russia-based co-defendant to undervalue and mislabel the contents of the materials he was exporting.  He also suggested that certain steps be taken to hide the contents of the parcels he was shipping from U.S. authorities.  For example, in approximately December 2022, Larin emailed the co-defendant warning him about parcels with images of “soldiers on the packaging. It may be a red flag for the customs if they open it.”  Larin further asked his co-defendant “Would you like us to remove the package boxes, or take a risk with the customs?”

In approximately May 2023, Larin agreed to ship enhanced firearms triggers and charging handles to Kazakhstan at the request of his co-defendant.  These items were all subject to export controls and could not be shipped to Kazakhstan without an export license from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Nevertheless, Larin agreed to ship the items and asked the co-defendant in Russia how he would like the items declared. In response, the co-defendant asked Larin to label the package as containing clothing, tools, and a light switch. Larin shipped the parcel and mislabeled its contents.

In approximately December 2023, Larin agreed to acquire a Rapid Targeting and Ranging Module (“Raptar”) target acquisition device on behalf of the co-defendant.  The Raptar is a firearms accessory which assists its users in acquiring targets at long ranges.  It is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (“ITAR”) and cannot be shipped outside of the United States without a license from the U.S. Department of State.  After acquiring the Raptar, Larin agreed to ship the device to a co-conspirator in the United States who then attempted to ship it to Kazakhstan in violation of the ITAR. The device was intercepted and seized by HSI in California.

The charges in the indictment are allegations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.  If convicted of the charges in the indictment, Larin faces up to 20 years in prison.

The government’s case is being handled by the Office’s National Security and Cybercrime Section.  Assistant United States  Attorneys Gilbert M. Rein and David I. Berman are in charge of the prosecution, along with Trial Attorney Christopher Cook of the National Security Division’s Counterintelligence and Export Control Section.

The Defendant:

MAXIM LARIN
Age:  43
Plantation, Florida

E.D.N.Y. Docket No. 25-CR-246 (NRM)