Article content

In an unprecedented use of legislation intended to prevent material that could be used to make nuclear weapons from entering Iran, a Red Deer, Alta., company was fined $90,000 Monday for trying to export $15-worth of prohibited rubber rings.

Lee Specialities Ltd. pleaded guilty in a Calgary court to contravening the Special Economic Measures Act in efforts to ship rubber parts that could have had nuclear applications.

We apologize, but this video has failed to load.

tap here to see other videos from our team. Try refreshing your browser, or Alberta company fined $90,000 for shipping rubber parts to Iran that could be used to make nuclear weapons Back to video

It’s the first time investigators have laid charges under the act.

In 2011, Lee Specialties received a purchase order from Kan Dana Middle East LLC, which had affiliates in Dubai and Iran.

The order, which was initially worth $6,054.50, was for oilfield equipment, including 50 Viton O-rings, valued at 30¢ each.

Export of the rings from Canada to Iran has been banned since 2010.

Kristine Robidoux, a lawyer for Lee Specialties, said the company’s billing procedure mixed up the Dubai and Iranian shipping addresses. In addition, the order was handled by junior staff.