Financial Crime World

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Hezbollah Finance in Lebanon: A Primary-Source Review

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Hezbollah has established a vast network of business figures, money launderers, and supporters to finance its activities. The network includes key individuals like Saleh Assi, who was designated by the US Treasury Department for his role in laundering money for Hezbollah.

Illicit Operations at the Port of Beirut

Illicit operations at the Port of Beirut have been a concern in Lebanon for several years. A 2013 report mentioned that Hezbollah considers the port and airport as its own and brings through whatever it wants in terms of containers. The report also highlighted how brokers, traders, and customs clearing agents cooperate with each other to smuggle goods and evade taxes.

Key Findings

  • Brokers, traders, and customs clearing agents collaborate to smuggle goods and evade taxes
  • Hezbollah has unrestricted access to the Port of Beirut
  • Containers are brought into the port without scrutiny or customs clearance

Illicit Activities at the Port of Latakia, Syria

Hezbollah’s procurement agents revealed that they have unrestricted access to the Port of Latakia in Syria. According to them, Hezbollah controls the port, ensuring secrecy by shutting down cameras.

Key Findings

  • Hezbollah has unrestricted access to the Port of Latakia
  • The port is controlled by Hezbollah, with cameras shut down for secrecy
  • Smuggling and money laundering activities occur at the port

Illicit Activities at the Ports

Both ports are used for smuggling and money laundering activities, including:

Examples of Illicit Activities

  • Evading tariffs and excise taxes: Estimated at $1.2 billion per year at the Port of Beirut
  • Manipulating manifests: To avoid paying fees or evading taxes on imported goods
  • Smuggling goods: Including televisions, which are altered to appear as computer monitors to avoid a 5% fee

The article highlights the complex network of corruption and organized crime that enables Hezbollah’s financial activities in Lebanon and Syria.