U.S. authorities arrested a Russian businessman in Florida for allegedly smuggling microelectronics intended for drone use to Russia, the Justice Department announced on Monday.
The individual, identified as Denis Postovoy, faces accusations of exporting microelectronics through foreign companies without the necessary licenses, even after the U.S. imposed sanctions on Moscow following its invasion of Ukraine.
According to the Justice Department, Postovoy concealed and misrepresented the actual end users and destinations of the microelectronics by submitting false information on export documents.
U.S. law enforcement reported that he shipped the electronics through intermediary locations, including Hong Kong and Switzerland, while receiving payments in U.S. dollars from foreign bank accounts.
Postovoy is now facing a seven-count indictment for charges including smuggling, money laundering, and defrauding the United States.
Russia’s Embassy in Washington acknowledged Postovoy’s arrest in Sarasota, Florida, but claimed it had not been notified by local law enforcement. The embassy has requested information from the U.S. State Department and promised to provide Postovoy with consular and legal assistance.
This arrest follows the sentencing of another Russian businessman in July, who received three years in U.S. prison for admitting to smuggling military-grade electronics to Russia from Hong Kong.
