Tracking Narco-Terrorist Networks – The Money Trail

In October 2008, Colombian authorities arrested thirty-six Lebanese expatriates on money laundering and drug charges. This was more than a standard criminal syndicate, however — the group was transferring a portion of its profits back to Hizballah.

Michael Jacobson and Matthew Levitt discuss how such cases point to a new target for U.S. counterterrorism efforts: traditional criminal activities. In particular, Washington should leverage its strategy of international cooperation and diplomatic engagement to gain broader support against the growing terrorism-crime nexus.

Source – Download PDF