Arr, the Treasury be slappin' terrorism sanctions on a scurvy bunch o' scallywags linked to Hezbollah in Lebanon and South America!
2023-09-12
Arrr, the blasted U.S. Treasury Department be layin' down the law, slappin' terrorism-related sanctions on a scurvy network o' seven scallywags and enterprises spread across Lebanon and South America. Avast ye mateys, beware the long arm o' justice!
The U.S. Treasury has imposed terrorism sanctions on a family network of seven individuals and businesses in Lebanon and South America for financing the militant group Hezbollah. One of the individuals, Amer Mohamed Akil Rada, was involved in two deadly attacks in Argentina in the 1990s. He played a role in the attack on the Argentine-Israelite Mutual Association in Buenos Aires in 1994, which killed 85 people, and the 1992 attack on the Israeli Embassy in Argentina, which killed 29 people.Brian Nelson, the Treasury's under-secretary for terrorism and financial intelligence, stated that this action demonstrates the U.S. government's dedication to pursuing Hezbollah operatives and financiers, regardless of their location. The Iran-backed group is considered a "foreign terrorist organization," and the U.S. also accuses them of engaging in drug trafficking in Latin America to generate revenue.
Rada, who spent over a decade in South America before moving to Lebanon, allegedly ran a charcoal business that frequently exported from Colombia to Lebanon. The Treasury claims that he used 80 percent of the proceeds from his business to benefit Hezbollah.
Rada's brother, Samer, was also sanctioned for his involvement in drug trafficking and money laundering operations across Latin America. He is the head of the Venezuelan-based company BCI Technologies CA, which is reportedly a prominent cryptocurrency consultancy firm in the country.
The Treasury also imposed sanctions on Rada's son, Mehdi Akil Helbawi, and his Colombia-based venture Zanga S.A.S. This coal exporting company was allegedly used by Rada to fund Hezbollah. Additionally, the Lebanon-based company Black Diamond SARL and its owner Ali Ismail Ajrouch were also sanctioned for transferring funds to the Colombia-based coal company.
Overall, this action demonstrates the U.S. government's commitment to targeting Hezbollah operatives and financiers, regardless of their location, and disrupting their revenue streams.