Latest news with #Trofimov
Cision Canada
4 days ago
- Business
- Cision Canada
RCMP arrest individual for exporting banned technology to Russia Français
NEWMARKET, ON, June 6, 2025 /CNW/ - The Ontario RCMP have arrested a Canadian businessman for violating Canadian sanctions that prohibit technology trade and exports to Russia. Following a three-year investigation, the Ontario RCMP's Sanctions Unit has obtained Attorney General of Canada consent to commence a criminal prosecution under the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c. 17, and the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations, SOR/2014-58. Anton Trofimov (43) of Toronto, Ontario, is facing the following charges for sanctions evasion: Export, sell, supply or ship a good referred to in Column 1 of Schedule 7 to Russia, contrary to section 3.9 (1) of the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (SOR/2014-58), thereby committing an offence contrary to section 8 of the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c.17; Export, sell, supply or ship a good referred to in the Restricted Goods and Technologies List to Russia, contrary to section 3.6 (1) of the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (SOR/2014-58), thereby committing an offence contrary to section 8 of the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c.17; Possess proceeds of property obtained by crime, contrary to section 354(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada. Trofimov made a first appearance in the Ontario Court of Justice at Toronto on May 22, 2025. "Canada's sanctions are a critical component to our economic security, and these types of violations pose serious risks in maintaining international peace and global security. Individuals and businesses are responsible for ensuring the end destination of all exports do not fall under these sanctions. The RCMP will continue to pursue individuals or groups who attempt to profit from illegal trade." Chief Superintendent Chris Leather Officer in Charge of Criminal Operations, RCMP Central Region The RCMP works closely with domestic and international partners, including the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, Global Affairs Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, the United States Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to prevent and disrupt the illicit trade of technologies with sanctioned states. "This arrest is an example of how close collaboration with our Canadian partners can result in significant impact such as disruptions to Russia's attempts to evade U.S. and Canadian sanctions." Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office. "This arrest demonstrates both the importance of the CBSA's ongoing work to interdict the proliferation of strategic Canadian technology and the crucial cooperation between the CBSA and RCMP in identifying exporters intent on violating sanctions. The CBSA's Counter Proliferation Operations Section examines more than 1 million export declarations per year and collaborates with external and internal partners to meet Canada's commitment to enforcing sanctions on strategic exports to Russia." Daniel Anson, Director General, Intelligence and Investigations, Canada Border Services Agency Prosecutions under the Special Economic Measures Act are conducted by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. The purpose of the Canada Sanctions regime is to enable the Government of Canada to take economic measures against certain persons in circumstances where an international organization of states, of which Canada is a member, calls on its members to do so. The RCMP Sanctions Program performs several roles within the Government of Canada's sanctions regime, including conducting investigations into potential contravention of sanctions, the receipt of information from third parties in accordance with the legislation, and providing assistance to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. For more information on Canadian sanctions enforcement, please visit our website. For more information about the high priority items list subject to export controls, please visit the Global Affairs Canada website. If you have any information related to violation of Canada's sanctions legislation, you can contact the RCMP at [email protected].
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
RCMP arrest individual for exporting banned technology to Russia
NEWMARKET, ON, June 6, 2025 /CNW/ - The Ontario RCMP have arrested a Canadian businessman for violating Canadian sanctions that prohibit technology trade and exports to Russia. Following a three-year investigation, the Ontario RCMP's Sanctions Unit has obtained Attorney General of Canada consent to commence a criminal prosecution under the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c. 17, and the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations, SOR/2014-58. Anton Trofimov (43) of Toronto, Ontario, is facing the following charges for sanctions evasion: Export, sell, supply or ship a good referred to in Column 1 of Schedule 7 to Russia, contrary to section 3.9 (1) of the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (SOR/2014-58), thereby committing an offence contrary to section 8 of the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c.17; Export, sell, supply or ship a good referred to in the Restricted Goods and Technologies List to Russia, contrary to section 3.6 (1) of the Special Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations (SOR/2014-58), thereby committing an offence contrary to section 8 of the Special Economic Measures Act, S.C. 1992, c.17; Possess proceeds of property obtained by crime, contrary to section 354(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada. Trofimov made a first appearance in the Ontario Court of Justice at Toronto on May 22, 2025. "Canada's sanctions are a critical component to our economic security, and these types of violations pose serious risks in maintaining international peace and global security. Individuals and businesses are responsible for ensuring the end destination of all exports do not fall under these sanctions. The RCMP will continue to pursue individuals or groups who attempt to profit from illegal trade." Chief Superintendent Chris Leather Officer in Charge of Criminal Operations, RCMP Central Region The RCMP works closely with domestic and international partners, including the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada, Global Affairs Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, the United States Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, to prevent and disrupt the illicit trade of technologies with sanctioned states. "This arrest is an example of how close collaboration with our Canadian partners can result in significant impact such as disruptions to Russia's attempts to evade U.S. and Canadian sanctions." Special Agent in Charge Brett D. Skiles of the FBI Miami Field Office. "This arrest demonstrates both the importance of the CBSA's ongoing work to interdict the proliferation of strategic Canadian technology and the crucial cooperation between the CBSA and RCMP in identifying exporters intent on violating sanctions. The CBSA's Counter Proliferation Operations Section examines more than 1 million export declarations per year and collaborates with external and internal partners to meet Canada's commitment to enforcing sanctions on strategic exports to Russia." Daniel Anson, Director General, Intelligence and Investigations, Canada Border Services Agency Prosecutions under the Special Economic Measures Act are conducted by the Public Prosecution Service of Canada. Fast Facts The purpose of the Canada Sanctions regime is to enable the Government of Canada to take economic measures against certain persons in circumstances where an international organization of states, of which Canada is a member, calls on its members to do so. The RCMP Sanctions Program performs several roles within the Government of Canada's sanctions regime, including conducting investigations into potential contravention of sanctions, the receipt of information from third parties in accordance with the legislation, and providing assistance to the Minister of Foreign Affairs. For more information on Canadian sanctions enforcement, please visit our website. For more information about the high priority items list subject to export controls, please visit the Global Affairs Canada website. If you have any information related to violation of Canada's sanctions legislation, you can contact the RCMP at Federal_Policing_Intake_Unit@ Twitter: @RCMPONTFacebook: rcmpontarioYouTube: RCMP_Ontario_GRCWebsite: RCMP in Ontario SOURCE Royal Canadian Mounted Police - Central Region View original content: Sign in to access your portfolio
Global News
03-06-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Toronto man accused of supplying Russia's drone program is 1st to face prosecution over sanctions
On May 9, Russian troops paraded their tanks, armoured vehicles and missiles through Red Square, past the man who sent them to war in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin. The Victory Day procession in Moscow also showcased, for the first time, the military drones that have proven indispensable to Putin's invasion. But Russian drones are not really Russian on the inside. They are built out of electronics purchased around the world by a global procurement network that allegedly relies on suppliers in several countries, including Canada. Last week, Global News revealed the RCMP had arrested a Toronto businessman for allegedly exporting restricted goods to Russia in the months after Putin launched his 2022 full-scale attack on Ukraine. The RCMP has now confirmed that Anton Trofimov was taken into custody on May 22. He has been accused of selling materials to Moscow that could be used to make weapons. The arrest is the first under the Special Economic Measures Act (SEMA), which placed export controls on Moscow in 2014 in response to Russian military intervention in Ukraine. 'We can confirm that this is the first prosecution under SEMA based on the Russia regulations,' said Nathalie Houle, a Public Prosecution Service of Canada spokesperson. The charges do not mention drones, but Trofimov and his companies were sanctioned by the U.S. in 2023 for allegedly shipping microelectronics to Russian military drone manufacturers. Global News was unable to reach Trofimov or his lawyer for comment. He was released on bail after posting a $5,000 deposit and was scheduled to return to court in Toronto on June 30. The RCMP said it was planning a news conference 'at the earliest availability' to announce what it called the 'important file' but would not answer questions about its investigation. Advertisement 'Canada's sanctions regime makes a critical contribution to international stability as trade in certain kinds of technology and equipment could pose serious risks in maintaining international peace and global security,' the RCMP said in a statement. 'Individuals and businesses are responsible for ensuring the end destination of all exports do not fall under these sanctions. The RCMP will continue to pursue individuals or groups who attempt to profit from illegal trade.' The Ukrainian embassy in Ottawa said it welcomed Canada's efforts to use sanctions to 'limit Russia's ability to fuel its war machine.' 'Sanctions must not only be adopted but rigorously implemented to remain an effective tool in deterring further aggression and atrocities,' the embassy said in a statement to Global News. 'Any attempts to supply Russia with technologies that can be used in its illegal war against Ukraine must be met with swift and decisive consequences.'
Global News
27-05-2025
- Global News
Owner of Toronto company arrested for allegedly violating sanctions on Russia
The head of a Toronto company accused of shipping drone parts to Russia has been arrested by the RCMP for sanctions evasion, according to documents obtained by Global News. Anton Sergeyevich Trofimov has been charged with two counts of violating the sweeping sanctions that Canada imposed on Russia over its invasion of Ukraine. The 43-year-old, whose company Asia Pacific Links Ltd. has been accused of supplying the Russian military, is also charged with possessing proceeds of crime. The RCMP has scheduled a news conference for Wednesday to announce what they called Canada's first prosecution for violating Canada's sanctions on Russia. The name of the accused was not released by police. But court records obtained by Global News show that Trofimov was charged on May 5 with two counts of sanctions violations and made an appearance in the Ontario Court of Justice in Toronto last week. Story continues below advertisement The charges accuse Trofimov of exporting, selling, supplying or shipping restricted goods and technologies to Russia between July and December 2022. He was released on a $5,000 cash deposit, according to court records. Prosecutions for sanctions violations are 'very rare in Canada,' said Jessica Davis, a former intelligence analyst and expert on terrorist financing. 'While Canada has been very active in sanctioning individuals and entities, actually detecting and disrupting sanctions evasion activity rarely occurs.' Canada has instead tended to rely on its partners in the United States to identify sanctions violations and prosecute those responsible. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'This is a step in the right direction, but these protections have proved challenging in the past, so the outcome remains to be seen,' Davis said. 1:07 At least 12 dead as Russia continues its aerial assault on Ukraine Along with its allies, Canada banned the export of sensitive goods to Russia in response to President Vladimir Putin's war on Ukraine. Story continues below advertisement Nonetheless, weapons found on the battlefield, such as attack drones, show that Russia has still managed to acquire the parts needed to supply its forces Trofimov is a Russian national who owns homes in Toronto and also has a residence in Hong Kong. He was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in May 2023. His Asia Pacific Links company, established in Hong Kong in 2014, was also sanctioned at the time for allegedly supplying Russia's military. Three other companies allegedly associated with Trofimov were similarly sanctioned by the U.S., including 10219452 Canada, which is based in Toronto. The Treasury alleged that Trofimov's companies were 'part of the procurement network working to obtain technology' for Russian Orlan-10 drones The Orlan-10 is a medium-range reconnaissance drone that Russian forces have used extensively in Ukraine to pinpoint targets for artillery and rocket strikes. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress wrote to Canada's ministers of foreign affairs and public safety in January 2023 to ask for action against Trofimov for alleged sanctions violations. 'Evidence that a resident of Canada is involved in the supply of technology that is being used by Russia to murder Ukrainians is of grievous concern,' national president Alexandra Chyczij wrote. Story continues below advertisement View image in full screen A photograph released by Ukrainian military shows the wreckage of what Kyiv has described as an Iranian Shahed drone downed near Kupiansk, Ukraine. (Ukrainian military's Strategic Communications Directorate via AP/File). Asia Pacific Links Ltd. allegedly supplies the St. Petersburg company SMT-iLogic, which in turn feeds parts to the Special Technology Centre, manufacturer of the Orlan-10 drone. Special Technology Centre is also on the sanctions lists of Canada, the U.S., the U.K. and Ukraine due to its 'significant role' in 'Russia's armed aggression against Ukraine.' Two other companies allegedly linked to Trofimov, IPS Pacific Company Ltd. and Shenzhen Yantu Import and Export Co Ltd., were also sanctioned by the U.S. for supplying Russia's drone program. A joint investigation by the Royal United Services Institute and Reuters alleged that Trofimov's firm was the 'largest supplier of microelectronics' to SMT-iLogic since the February 2022 invasion. The report alleged the Toronto resident's company had shipped US$5 million worth of microelectronics to SMT-iLogic during the first eight months of the Ukraine war. Story continues below advertisement 'These shipments have included items critical for the Orlan-10 UAV,' it said, using the acronym for the unmanned aerial vehicle.
