Maybe it is more about 'normal crime' than working as russian agents, we will see.
On the other hand:
" [...]
The US keeps strict controls on the export of cutting-edge microelectronics, which could be used in radar and surveillance systems, weapons guidance systems and detonation triggers [...]"
I thought most of this stuff is meanwhile produced in China, and sent to the US ?
http://it.slashdot.org/story/12/05/2...-military-chip
http://www.businessinsider.com/navy-...hut-off-2011-6
Although a lot of chips used in the US military is indeed produced in China, i guess the "disarming" capabality is nonsense, apart of rendering the devices itself useless because of sheer failing of some of the chinese chips.
Thanks and greetings,
Catfish