Changes

====Latin America====

====Latin America====

The 'Hezbollah's global finance network' includes "The Triple Frontier" (in [[South America]]) -  "[[Argentina]], [[Brasil]] & [[Paraguay]]."<ref>http://www.meib.org/articles/0201_l2.htm</ref><ref>http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/HH03Aa01.html</ref>

The 'Hezbollah's global finance network' includes "The Triple Frontier" (in [[South America]]) -  "[[Argentina]], Brasil & [[Paraguay]]."<ref>http://www.meib.org/articles/0201_l2.htm</ref><ref>http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Front_Page/HH03Aa01.html</ref>

There's an extensive report on "Hezbollah and the Drug Trade in South America" - Hezbollah is active in the drug trade in [[Colombia]], a web of criminality that extends from Lebanon to Africa to South America.

There's an extensive report on "Hezbollah and the Drug Trade in South America" - Hezbollah is active in the drug trade in [[Colombia]], a web of criminality that extends from Lebanon to Africa to South America.

<ref>http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/print.php?template=C07&CID=132</ref>

<ref>http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/print.php?template=C07&CID=132</ref>

Counter terrorism expert Steven Emerson wrote in 2007 in an article titled "Blood Money: Hezbollah's revenue stream flows through the Americas":<blockquote>A New Front. Hezbollah operatives have frequently sought out sympathetic members of the Lebanese Diaspora to assist them, several of whom have owned and operated Lebanese restaurants. Salim Boughader Mucharrafille, owner of Cafe La Libanesa in [[Tijuana]], [[Mexico]], was arrested in December 2002 for running a ring that allegedly smuggled at least 200 Lebanese compatriots into the United States , including an employee of Al- Manar, Hezbollah's television station. Although it was never confirmed, Boughader was suspected of having helped Kourani to slip over the border. Last May, a Mexican judge sentenced Boughader to 14 years in prison for organized crime and human smuggling.

Counter terrorism expert Steven Emerson wrote in 2007 in an article titled "Blood Money: Hezbollah's revenue stream flows through the Americas":<blockquote>A New Front. Hezbollah operatives have frequently sought out sympathetic members of the Lebanese Diaspora to assist them, several of whom have owned and operated Lebanese restaurants. Salim Boughader Mucharrafille, owner of Cafe La Libanesa in Tijuana, [[Mexico]], was arrested in December 2002 for running a ring that allegedly smuggled at least 200 Lebanese compatriots into the United States , including an employee of Al- Manar, Hezbollah's television station. Although it was never confirmed, Boughader was suspected of having helped Kourani to slip over the border. Last May, a Mexican judge sentenced Boughader to 14 years in prison for organized crime and human smuggling.

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The case of Rady Zaiter, a.k.a. David Assi Alvarez, is an example of drug-running activities designed to benefit Hezbollah, using a restaurant as a front. In June 2005, Ecuadorian police broke up an international drug-trafficking ring led by the owners of El Turco restaurant: Zaiter and his partner, Maher Hamajo. The restaurant in [[Quito]] served as the logistical center for the ring's activities. Drug mules carried [[cocaine]] in double bottomed suitcases bound for other countries in South America, as well as Europe and the Middle East. According to investigating authorities, Hezbollah received at least 70 percent of the drug money. Additionally, officials confiscated more than $150,000 and 2,000 euros. Further arrests were made in Brazil, [[Syria]] and the [[Dutch Antilles]], bringing the total apprehended to 19 people. El Turco, like the [[Detroit]]-area restaurant La Shish that was recently allegedly linked to Hezbollah, was a very popular restaurant, appreciated by the locals.

The case of Rady Zaiter, a.k.a. David Assi Alvarez, is an example of drug-running activities designed to benefit Hezbollah, using a restaurant as a front. In June 2005, Ecuadorian police broke up an international drug-trafficking ring led by the owners of El Turco restaurant: Zaiter and his partner, Maher Hamajo. The restaurant in [[Quito]] served as the logistical center for the ring's activities. Drug mules carried [[cocaine]] in double bottomed suitcases bound for other countries in South America, as well as Europe and the Middle East. According to investigating authorities, Hezbollah received at least 70 percent of the drug money. Additionally, officials confiscated more than $150,000 and 2,000 euros. Further arrests were made in [[Brazil]], [[Syria]] and the Dutch Antilles, bringing the total apprehended to 19 people. El Turco, like the [[Detroit]]-area restaurant La Shish that was recently allegedly linked to Hezbollah, was a very popular restaurant, appreciated by the locals.

<ref name="emerson"/></blockquote>

<ref name="emerson"/></blockquote>