Two UK nationals have been convicted of their roles in an illicit arms trafficking operation that aimed to supply sophisticated weaponry to regions under international sanctions. David Greenhalgh, 68, a Croydon-based businessman, and Christos Farmakis, 48, a Greek national residing in London, were found guilty at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday of multiple counts of illegal arms trading.
The scheme involved attempts to broker the supply of military equipment from Eastern European countries including Ukraine, Belarus, Serbia, and the Czech Republic to destinations such as Sudan, South Sudan, Libya, Iraq, and Iran. These regions were subject to UK arms embargos between July 2009 and December 2016. HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) reported that buyers in these areas were desperate for equipment and willing to pay inflated prices, with some deals valued at tens of millions of dollars.
Greenhalgh, owner of the Airservices group of companies operating internationally, allegedly used his extensive network to conceal his dealings from UK authorities. Farmakis, a business advisor based in London, conducted negotiations through Cyprus-registered Black Betty Consulting. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) highlighted that both men discussed forging documents and routing deliveries via third countries to obscure the ultimate destinations of the weapons.
HMRC stressed that, despite some deals being conducted beyond UK jurisdiction, Greenhalgh remained subject to UK trade controls due to his British nationality. This conviction underscores the UK's commitment to enforcing international sanctions and preventing the proliferation of arms to conflict zones. The Foreign Office updates travel advice for countries like Sudan, Libya, and Iraq regularly, often advising against all travel due to ongoing conflict.
Edwige Hill, Deputy Director in HMRC's Fraud Investigation Service, stated that Greenhalgh and Farmakis showed 'blatant disregard' for international sanctions. The convictions serve as a warning to those attempting to profit from the illicit supply of weapons. Anja Hohmeyer, Specialist Prosecutor with the CPS, reaffirmed the agency's resolve to prosecute individuals seeking to exploit conflict zones.