UPDATED ON:
Thursday, October 23, 2008
15:28 Mecca time, 12:28 GMT
News Americas
Colombia links arrests to Hezbollah

The three men, arrested in Bogota, were said to be of Lebanese and Jordanian descent

Colombian authorities have arrested three men with alleged links to Hezbollah, a Lebanese organisation which runs an armed wing.

The men are among dozens of suspects held in Colombia and overseas on charges of drugs trafficking and money laundering, the attorney-general's office said.

The alleged criminal activity was for the benefit of the Norte del Valle cartel and a network of outlawed paramilitaries stretching from South America to Asia. 

"The criminal organisation used routes through Venezuela, Panama, Guatemala, Middle East and Europe, bringing in cash from the sale of these substances," the attorney-general office's statement, released on Tuesday, said.

Eighteen Colombians, nine of whom are wanted by the US, were arrested during the worldwide investigation that began in July 2006, the attorney-general's office said.

The three Middle Eastern suspects, identified as Shekry Mahmud Harb, Ali Mohammed Abdul Rahim and Zacaria Hussein Harb, were captured on October 13 in Bogota, a source in the attorney-general's office said.

The men, who were of Lebanese and Jordanian descent, "co-ordinated the shipment of drugs to their countries of origin, and used front companies to bring the cash into Colombia", the statement said.

Some of the cash was "was distributed in Middle Eastern countries for the supposed financing of terrorist groups such as Hezbollah", it said.

US complaint

Washington has often complained that Iran-backed Hezbollah and other Muslim groups that it considers terrorist organisations are active in Arab communities in South American countries such as Brazil and Venezuela.

The operation, called Titan, has already led to some 90 arrests in various countries, Colombian authorities said.

As part of the operation, police confiscated some $740,000, 360kg of cocaine and 5kg of heroin, as well as two aircraft, a boat, and various vehicles and jewels, the attorney -general's office said.

Colombia remains the world's number one cocaine producer, although over the last seven years Washington has sent more than $5bn in aid that has helped weaken the country's leftist fighters and reduce violence from its conflict.

Speaking to Al Jazeera on Thursday, Elias Hanna, a retired Lebanese army general, cast doubt on Colombia's claims that Hezbollah could be involved in the illegal drugs trade.

He said there is still no evidence, only accusations, that Hezbollah was involved.

Hanna said it was unlikely that Hezbollah, which takes pride in its image a Lebanese resistance group, would risk its reputation in such a manner.

 Source: Agencies
 
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Feedback Number of comments : 5
 
Ayub
Afghanistan
23/10/2008
Nice Try,FBI...
Yeah Right!!So the crack problem in the US is prevalent because of Hezbollah.Mayor Marion Barry of Washington D.C.got the crack from Ahmedinijad's suppliers.What will they think of next.David Koresh was from a HEzbollah group.Cindy Sheehan is a Hesbollah member,Barack Obama is actually Osama's cousin,Ralph Nader is also Lebanese so he belongs to Hesbollah,i wouldn't be surprised if they accused Joe Biden of having a link to Al Qaeda.What a joke.Fricking Idiots.

Sean
Afghanistan
23/10/2008
False claims against Hezbollah
This brings back memorie's off when 3 irish republican's where arrested in bogota of false claims that they where training left-wing guerilla's.It was a circus witch hunt against sinn fein in fragile peace talks here in ireland.I whould suspect the colombian goverment orderded this to take the heat of them.Who at this very moment are being investigated by police over alleged connections with right-wing narc's and the presidente of colombia himself..This is nothing!!!Dont trust the Colombian's.

Imad
Nicaragua
28/10/2008
How Little Know They
I think is funny because the both sides do not know what is about to come. The ignorant do not believe and the Americans do not want to believe. But there is going to be great thing when the Americans vote. This drug and Hezbollah connection is onle start. Americans will soon see how vulnerable they are. All they want is peace. But, they will learn that they are complacent and weak.

Jiaur
Bangladesh
23/10/2008
Colombia links arrests to Hezbollah
It is fake news because Hezbollah has no link with drugs trafficking and money laundering. So I request to all people deny the message of Colombia.

Victor
United States
24/10/2008
Wow
This is wierd. They're in South America! This is really news that we don't get. Ciao bella mi amici. Vive Italia.

 
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