A mining parts maker in Queensland has settled in full more than $126,000 in fines over illegal exports to Russia.
Australian Border Force (ABF) says their investigations took almost two years and found the company had exported sanctioned goods through intermediary countries.
The ABF also says their officers seized $48,210 worth of goods that had been destined for Russia.
Codenamed Operation Gobletdust, the ABF-led investigation began in December 2024 after they were alerted by the Australian Sanctions Office (ASO).
In April 2025, ABF officers searched the mining parts company’s premises in regional Queensland and found evidence that the company had knowingly exported sanctioned goods to Russia nine times between December 2023 and October 2024.
They did so by routing shipments through intermediary countries without the required permissions.
On 18 June 2026, ABF issued the company multiple fine notices under the Customs Act for exporting prohibited goods without permission; the agency says the company paid all fines in full but did not identify the company.
Click here to visit the ABF home page.
MINING INVESTIGATION ‘SERVES NOTICE’
ABF Superintendent Roderick Thiele said businesses who export from Australia have a responsibility to understand where their products are ultimately going and who will receive them.
“This investigation demonstrates that attempts to circumvent Australia’s sanctions measures through complex supply chains or intermediary countries will be detected and penalised,” Supt Thiele said.
“The ABF will continue to work with domestic and international partners to protect the integrity of Australia’s sanctions framework and prevent export-sanctioned goods from reaching prohibited countries such as Russia.”
ASO administers Australian sanctions laws and promotes compliance, and operates as part of the federal Department of Finance.
A Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson says that sanctions contraventions are serious criminal offences.
“Australian businesses are responsible for ensuring that they take reasonable precautions and exercise due diligence to avoid contravening Australian sanctions laws,” the spokesperson says.
Anyone with information about suspicious activity that may affect Australian border security is encouraged to report it through Border Watch.
Click here to learn more about the Russian sanctions
OTHER SANCTIONS NEWS: NZ raids also prompt Melbourne searches
