A Quebec firearms firm says an inside investigation has confirmed that its rifles had been “fraudulent diverted” to Russia.
Cadex Defence stated its “complete” assessment discovered the shipments occurred with out the corporate’s authorization or information.
“Upon discovering this case, Cadex absolutely cooperated with the competent Canadian authorities accountable for reviewing this matter,” it stated.
“The corporate additionally strengthened its verification mechanisms, due diligence procedures, and management measures with a purpose to additional cut back the dangers of fraudulent diversion inside the worldwide provide chain.”
The investigation was launched after International Information reported that Russian snipers had been utilizing Canadian-made Cadex rifles.
The precision firearms had been additionally displayed at a Moscow gun present final October, and are on the market on the web site of a gun store within the Russian capital.
Whereas some proven on Russian social media channels appeared to have been captured from Ukrainian troops, others seemed model new and nonetheless had product tags.
“Following the knowledge delivered to our consideration on the time of the unique publication of the article, Cadex instantly launched a complete inside investigation to hint the origin and motion of the firearms in query,” the corporate stated.
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“This course of confirmed that sure firearms manufactured by Cadex seem to have been fraudulently diverted from their supposed vacation spot earlier than ending up in Russia, with out the authorization, information, or consent of Cadex.”
Sanctions imposed in response to President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine prohibit the export of weapons to Russia.
However American, European and Canadian firearms have nonetheless discovered their method to Russia, allegedly by means of neighbouring international locations, in line with Russian investigative journalists.
“Cadex needs to reaffirm unequivocally that at no time has the corporate bought, exported, or approved the switch of its merchandise to the Russian Federation, straight or not directly,” the corporate stated in its assertion.
The assertion was a response to a International Information report this week that exposed Canadian intelligence officers had visited the corporate’s headquarters south of Montreal.
The Canadian Safety Intelligence Service met with Cadex Defence to temporary the corporate on Russian procurement efforts, the corporate stated.
“Cadex believes it has absolutely cooperated and communicated transparently with the related authorities,” the corporate stated in its assertion.
After International Information first reported on the problem final October, Overseas Minister Anita Anand advised reporters she was trying into the matter.
The CSIS annual report launched on Might 1 stated Russia was trying to illicitly procure supplies “to maintain its military-industrial advanced and assist its warfare towards Ukraine.”
“Particularly, Russia sought to obtain Canadian expertise, similar to microelectronics, satellite tv for pc communication expertise, and precision firearms.”
The report stated CSIS was working with Canadian producers “to establish how Canadian items had been being acquired and shipped to Russia.”
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