In a recent development, an Indian national named Sanjay Kaushik, aged 57, has been charged for conspiring to illegally export aviation equipment from the United States to Russia. This illegal action is especially important because these items could have been used in military applications, making the export a violation of U.S. export control laws. Kaushik was indicted in the District of Oregon on November 20, 2024, after his arrest in Miami on October 17, 2024. This arrest was made in connection with a criminal complaint that had been filed against him earlier.
The Illegal Plan to Export Aviation Components
The charges against Kaushik stem from his involvement in a conspiracy to secretly ship controlled U.S. aviation components to Russia. These components, which have both civilian and military uses, require special permission from the U.S. government to be exported to countries like Russia. In this case, Kaushik worked with others to obtain specific aviation parts from the United States under false pretenses.
According to court documents, the plot began as early as March 2023, following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Kaushik and his co-conspirators reportedly started purchasing aerospace goods from U.S. suppliers, claiming the items were for his company in India. However, their real intent was to send these goods to Russia, violating U.S. laws designed to prevent military equipment from reaching countries that are under sanctions. These sanctions were put in place because of Russia’s actions in Ukraine.
One of the items involved in the illegal operation was an Attitude Heading Reference System (AHRS). The AHRS is a device used in aircraft to provide important information on navigation and flight control. This system is considered a dual-use technology, meaning it can be used for both civilian and military purposes. For this reason, a special license is required to export it to countries like Russia. However, Kaushik and his team made false claims about the destination and use of the equipment. They misrepresented that the AHRS would be used in a civilian helicopter by Kaushik’s company in India. In truth, the item was meant to be sent to a customer in Russia, in direct violation of U.S. export laws.
How the Authorities Stopped the Shipment
Despite the deceptive efforts, authorities were able to catch the illegal activity before it went any further. The AHRS was detained by U.S. authorities before it could be shipped out of the country. Investigators were able to trace the items back to Kaushik and his network, uncovering the full scale of the illegal operation.
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Kaushik’s company in India was used as a cover to hide the true end destination of the goods. It was only after a thorough investigation that officials realized the ultimate plan was to send the aviation parts to Russia, where they could potentially be used for military purposes, especially in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
The U.S. government has strict rules in place to control the export of sensitive goods like aerospace technology to countries under sanctions. This is because such goods can be used for military activities, which is a direct threat to national security and global stability. In this case, Kaushik and his co-conspirators violated those rules, making their actions illegal.
The Consequences for Kaushik
If Kaushik is found guilty of the charges against him, he could face severe consequences. The maximum penalty for each count in the indictment is 20 years in prison, along with a fine of up to $1 million. A federal district court judge will determine Kaushik’s sentence after considering the guidelines and other factors in the case.
The investigation into this case is being handled by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) in Portland. The U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Commerce have also been involved in investigating and prosecuting the case. The case was brought to light as part of an ongoing effort by U.S. authorities to enforce strict sanctions and export controls against Russia in response to the country’s military actions in Ukraine.
This case is being pursued under the Justice Department’s Task Force KleptoCapture, a special law enforcement task force that targets sanctions evasion and illegal export activities, particularly those that involve Russian entities. This task force is part of a broader international effort to prevent Russia from circumventing the sanctions imposed by the United States and its allies.
It is important to note that an indictment is not a determination of guilt. Kaushik is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The case is still ongoing, and a court will decide his fate based on the evidence presented.
