The US authorities have accused ten employees of the Russian airline Aeroflot of smuggling Apple technology for a total of more than $ 50 million. Eight people were detained, two more are on the run, according to the website of the Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York.
“It is believed that the defendants were part of an international smuggling group that used people here and in Russia to circumvent US export laws and other regulatory measures,” said prosecutor Seth Ducharm.
The publication provides the names of the detainees: Akmal Asadov, Sayuz Daibagiya, Anton Perevoznikov, Shokhrukh Saidov, Marat Shakhdin, Kirill Sokhonchuk, Zokir Iskanderov and Azamat Bobomudorov. They will stand trial on October 20. It is explained that the members of the group bought devices in the USA, including stolen ones, and couriers, disguised as passengers, brought them cash.
As a result of the search, more than $ 600,000 in cash was found at the airline's employees, including those hidden in Shakhdin's apartment, as well as a whole list of devices. While it is being ascertained who exactly helped the suspects, the US authorities have revoked 113 visas for Aeroflot employees.
On October 19, another smuggling case was reported: the FSB detained a Ukrainian citizen who was trying to arrange illegal supplies of parts of Russian aviation military equipment to his country.
