Arms brokers jailed for 16 years over illegal weapons deals to war zones

arms trafficking illegal weapons deals export control violations black market arms Southwark Crown Court

Two businessmen, David Greenhalgh and Christos Farmakis, have each been sentenced to 16 years in prison for brokering illegal arms deals worth tens of millions of pounds. The illicit transactions, which took place between 2009 and 2016, involved the unlicensed supply of military hardware to embargoed conflict zones, including Sudan, South Sudan, and Libya.

According to prosecutors, the pair acted as middlemen for a wide array of weaponry, including ex-Soviet MiG-29 fighter jets, attack helicopters, surface-to-air missile systems, anti-tank missiles, and thousands of assault rifles. One notable transaction involved a £41 million deal for a surface-to-air missile system sourced from Ukraine.

An investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) revealed that the defendants used a sophisticated network of companies across multiple countries to bypass UK export controls. They employed forged end-user certificates, fake government credentials, and corrupt payments to conceal the true destinations of the weapons.

While Greenhalgh was sentenced following his conviction at Southwark Crown Court, Farmakis was sentenced in his absence after fleeing the UK while on bail. Farmakis had previously served as an adviser to the UK-funded quango Greater London Enterprise.

Entities

Christos Farmakis · David Greenhalgh · Greater London Enterprise · HM Revenue & Customs · HMRC · Southwark Crown Court

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 4 SOURCES] The weapons were destined for embargoed conflict zones including Libya, Sudan, and South Sudan. thewhistler.ng · www.upday.com · metro.co.uk · www.independent.co.uk
[● 4 SOURCES] Christos Farmakis was sentenced in his absence after fleeing the UK while on bail. thewhistler.ng · www.upday.com · metro.co.uk · www.independent.co.uk
[○ 1 SOURCE] One deal involved a £41 million sale of a surface-to-air missile system from Ukraine. www.upday.com
[● 3 SOURCES] The convictions followed a seven-year investigation by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). www.upday.com · metro.co.uk · www.independent.co.uk
[● 4 SOURCES] David Greenhalgh and Christos Farmakis were each sentenced to 16 years in prison. thewhistler.ng · www.upday.com · metro.co.uk · www.independent.co.uk
[● 2 SOURCES] The illicit transactions involved ex-Soviet military hardware, such as MiG-29 fighter jets and surface-to-air missile systems. www.upday.com · metro.co.uk
[● 2 SOURCES] The defendants used forged end-user certificates and fake credentials to conceal weapon destinations. thewhistler.ng · www.independent.co.uk
[● 4 SOURCES] The illegal arms deals occurred between 2009 and 2016. thewhistler.ng · www.upday.com · metro.co.uk · www.independent.co.uk

Sources

UK Arms Broker Jailed 16 Years Over Libya, Sudan Weapons Deals [thewhistler.ng]

6 days ago

£41m missile deal and fighter jets lead to 16-year jail terms for two arms dealers | The latest National and International News - upday News [www.upday.com]

6 days ago

Businessmen who brokered fighter jet and missile sales to warzones are jailed [metro.co.uk]

6 days ago

British businessman jailed for illegal arms deals with war-torn nations [www.independent.co.uk]

6 days ago