BK Man Sent $10M In Goods To Russia, Violating Sanctions: DA

BROOKLYN, NY — A Brooklyn man accused of violating federal sanctions by sending equipment to Russia was arrested Tuesday, according to United States Attorney Breon Peace's Office.

Salimdzhon Nasriddinov, 52, co-coordinated a scheme to send $10 million worth of weapons and intelligence-related equipment to sanctioned Russian entities — "some of which has been used on the battlefield in Ukraine," prosecutors contend.

Working with two Canadian residents under Brooklyn-based corporations, Nasriddinov sent 300 shipments of restricted items to Russia in just a year, according to the Peace's office.

Seizures of Russian weapons and intelligence equipment in Ukraine exposed Nasriddinov's scheme, prosecutors said.

"Individuals and companies in the Eastern District should know that our Office will use all tools available to prosecute those who evade sanctions to aid hostile nation states," Peace said in a statement.

Prosecutors said the accused men received orders from Russian users in defense and technology, then used aliases to procure equipment from U.S. manufacturers and deliver them to Brooklyn hubs.

Nasriddinov and the others shipped the items from Brooklyn to other countries, where the shipments were rerouted to Russia, prosecutors contend.

The three were completely aware of the equipment's potential military use and were consistently scheming to stay under the radar, prosecutors said.

In text exchanges, Nasriddinov and his Canadian partner likened themselves to Russian army veterans working to "defend" the country, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office.