Police Intercept Illicit Export of Nuclear Technology

(NEWMARKET, ONTARIO - Friday, April 17th, 2009) - On Thursday the 16th of April, 2009, charges were brought against a Toronto resident after an extensive investigation conducted by the RCMP Greater Toronto Customs and Excise Section in partnership with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), and the US Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The RCMP allege a Toronto resident attempted to procure and export items known as "pressure transducers." This device, which is used in the production of enriched uranium, has a legitimate commercial use but can also be used for military applications. The police investigation shows that steps to conceal the identification specifications of these transducers were taken in order to export the items without the required export permits.

Facing charges under the Customs Act and Export Import Permits Act is Mahmoud YADEGARI of Toronto, Ontario. The investigation is ongoing and further charges may follow. YADEGARI is currently in custody pending a bail hearing at Old City Hall court, Toronto.

Counter Proliferation of Controlled Goods investigations are undertaken to stop the shipment of strategic technology when there are indications that they may be diverted to illicit end-users. Canada has a long-standing nuclear non-proliferation policy designed to ensure its exports of strategic technologies are not used for any illicit purposes. Canada is also a signatory to a variety of international agreements requiring domestic controls on the movement of Controlled Goods.

The RCMP Customs & Excise Program works in close collaboration with industry, domestic and international government partners, law enforcement and the community to disrupt and prevent the illicit traffic, diversion and proliferation of strategic goods and technology.

Inspector Greg Johnson, officer in charge of the GTA Customs and Excise Section stated, "The RCMP is committed to working with our domestic and international partners to ensure that strategic goods are not unlawfully exported from Canada and that anyone engaged in illicit proliferation activities is brought to justice."

The United States counterpart to the RCMP’s Custom & Excise Section and this investigation is the US Homeland Security’s, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) which is responsible for investigating the illegal export of U.S. military products and sensitive technologies from the United States through its Counter Proliferation Investigations (CPI) Unit.

"ICE’s partnerships with foreign law enforcement agencies such as the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the Canada Border Services Agency enhance collaborative efforts to investigate and disrupt illegal procurement networks seeking to circumvent the law. This joint investigation is a clear illustration of our combined commitment to stopping the illegal trafficking of controlled goods and sensitive technologies" stated Bruce M. Foucart, ICE Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. ICE Office of Investigations in Boston.

The Federal government has created multi-departmental working groups to discuss and identify strategies to further strengthen Canada's counter proliferation efforts – that is, efforts to prevent the illicit diversion of controlled goods and technology by countries, organizations or individuals of proliferation concern. The Departments involved are Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), Department of National Defence (DND), Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC), Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and the Department of Finance.

The officer in charge of the RCMP GTA Customs and Excise Section as well as a representative from Canada Border Services Agency, US Homeland Security, ICE and subject matter experts will be available for interviews today;

Friday April 17th, 2009
at 1 pm at the RCMP Toronto West Detachment
2755 Highpoint Drive
Milton, Ontario.

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For further information please contact:

Sgt. Marc LAPORTE
RCMP "O" Division, Media Relations Officer
Office: (519)640-7302
Mobile: (416)992-4409