What happens if I violate export controls in the UK? (January – December 2026)
Updated: 23 Feb 2026
‘Wheeler-dealer’ British businessman and government quango adviser jailed for brokering illegal weapons deals to war zones
LBC
Stephen Rigley
23 September 2026
An adviser to a UK Government-funded quango and a British businessman have each been given jail terms of 16 years for brokering illegal arms deals to send fighter jets and weapons to war zones around the world.
Christos Farmakis, 48, and David Greenhalgh, 68, acted as middlemen for the black market supply of ex-Soviet jets, surface-to-air missile systems, anti-tank missiles, and thousands of assault rifles to be sent to war-torn countries including Sudan, South Sudan and Libya.
The pair were found guilty in June of illegal arms deals worth tens of millions of pounds between 2009 and 2016.
On Wednesday, they were each sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment…
—
NTE 2026/03: company director jailed for illegal export
Published 19 February 2026
Introduction
A company director has been jailed for attempting to export military‑grade night vision rifle sights to Hong Kong without the required licence.
Summary
Key facts of the case include:
- Steven Gates, 47, from Wakefield, attempted to export 8 thermal imaging rifle sights classified as ML1d under the UK Military List
- he misdescribed the items as “low‑value cameras” to conceal their controlled status
- Border Force seized 3 scopes at Manchester Airport in February 2022 and another 5 in April 2023
- a search of Gates’ home uncovered evidence of 10 further unlicensed shipments to Hong Kong
- he was convicted under sections 68 and 167 of the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979
- Gates received a 2 year and 1 month prison sentence at Leeds Crown Court on 6 February 2026
HMRC enforcement
The UK operates strict export controls and a partial arms embargo on China and Hong Kong.
HMRC has increased enforcement significantly, with 51 criminal investigations in 2024 to 2025, up from 5 in 2021 to 2022.
HMRC statement
Edwige Hill, Deputy Director, Fraud Investigation Service, said:
“This was a calculated attempt to bypass the UK’s strict licensing regime. Anyone seeking to export military items without a licence will be detected and brought to justice.”
Voluntary disclosures
HMRC operates a voluntary disclosure process for unlicensed exports of strategic or sanctioned goods.
Outcomes can include:
- educational visits
- written warnings
- compound settlements
- referral for prosecution
Information on recent compound settlements is available through the Export Control Joint Unit’s Notices to Exporters collection.
Guidance on how to submit a voluntary disclosure is provided in the export controls for military goods, software and technology guidance.
