Further to economic sanctions imposed on Iran and after the Syrian crisis, Hezbollah is seeking to plug the financial gap by terrorist operations.
According to the report published in Washington Institute, Hezbollah has taken advantage of cross border opportunities to traffic arms, cash, and drugs. In 2008, German authorities at Frankfurt airport arrested two Lebanese men carrying more than €8 million raised by a Hezbollah cocaine smuggling ring. A year later, two other men from the same ring, involved in moving drugs from Beirut into Europe, were arrested.
By late February 2012, head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, informed the International Security Council that the West African transit route feeds a European cocaine market. US investigation revealed that Hezbollah is a major player.
In January 2011, one of the largest Hezbollah narcotics trafficking and money laundering schemes was disrupted. The U.S. Department of Treasury identified Hezbollah operative Ayman Joumma, along with an additional nine individuals and 19 businesses, as being involved.
The report also uncovered a broad Hezbollah plot to procure a long list of sophisticated weapons. According to law enforcement officials, Hezbollah militant Hassan Karaki was helping to lead a broad criminal conspiracy to sell counterfeit currency to an undercover FBI informant. This helped in uncovering a group that used to send stolen goods to more than a state namely Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria and Iran.
Probes’ priority was Dib Harb, a close associate of Karaki. It was, according to the report, revealed that Iran produces high-quality counterfeit currencies using facilities in Baalbek, for Hezbollah's use.
Harb explained that Hezbollah produce false European documents as well and that Karaki has a role that would also allow for the production of forged passports and visa stamps.
According to the report published in Washington Institute, Hezbollah has taken advantage of cross border opportunities to traffic arms, cash, and drugs. In 2008, German authorities at Frankfurt airport arrested two Lebanese men carrying more than €8 million raised by a Hezbollah cocaine smuggling ring. A year later, two other men from the same ring, involved in moving drugs from Beirut into Europe, were arrested.
By late February 2012, head of the UN Office on Drugs and Crime, informed the International Security Council that the West African transit route feeds a European cocaine market. US investigation revealed that Hezbollah is a major player.
In January 2011, one of the largest Hezbollah narcotics trafficking and money laundering schemes was disrupted. The U.S. Department of Treasury identified Hezbollah operative Ayman Joumma, along with an additional nine individuals and 19 businesses, as being involved.
The report also uncovered a broad Hezbollah plot to procure a long list of sophisticated weapons. According to law enforcement officials, Hezbollah militant Hassan Karaki was helping to lead a broad criminal conspiracy to sell counterfeit currency to an undercover FBI informant. This helped in uncovering a group that used to send stolen goods to more than a state namely Bahrain, Lebanon, Syria and Iran.
Probes’ priority was Dib Harb, a close associate of Karaki. It was, according to the report, revealed that Iran produces high-quality counterfeit currencies using facilities in Baalbek, for Hezbollah's use.
Harb explained that Hezbollah produce false European documents as well and that Karaki has a role that would also allow for the production of forged passports and visa stamps.
