Massachusetts Man and Russian Associate Charged in Nuclear Tech Smuggling Plot as Boston Feds Crack Down on Illicit Laser Trade

A Massachusetts man, alongside a Russian national, faces charges for their alleged roles in a scheme involving the smuggling of high-tech laser welding equipment into Russia, potentially boosting its nuclear energy capabilities, according to a statement from federal prosecutors. Sam Bhambhani, a 55-year-old resident of North Attleboro, Mass., and Maxim Teslenko, 35, of Moscow, were each slapped with two counts-smuggling and conspiracy to commit export control violations, commit smuggling, and defraud the United States, the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts announced. While Bhambhani has been released on conditions after appearing in federal court in Boston, Teslenko remains abroad, eluding capture.

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