(http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/MSNBC/Components/Photo/121003/121004-electronics-1230a.photoblog600.jpg)David J. Phillip / APFederal agents carry boxes out of Arc Electronics Inc. in Houston on Wednesday. The Justice Department said it had broken up a smuggling ring aimed at illegally exporting microelectronics from the United States to Russian military and intelligence agencies.By NBCNewYork.com and wire reportsUpdated 9:18 a.m. ET: NEW YORK -- An elaborate network aimed at illegally acquiring U.S.-made microelectronic components for Russian military and spy agencies has been broken up, the Justice Department said on Wednesday - but Russia later denied its spy agencies were involved.
Federal prosecutors unsealed an indictment charging 11 alleged participants in the network, as well as companies based in Houston, Texas and Moscow, with illegally exporting high-tech components from the United States to Russian security agencies.
NBCNewYork.com reported (http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/russian-military-procurement-network-arrest-charge-intelligence--172516951.html) that allegations involve illegally exporting approximately $50 million worth of high-tech microelectronics.
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