In a significant legal development, Lebanese national Mohammad Ibrahim Bazzi, aged 60, has admitted guilt in a complex conspiracy involving illegal transactions linked to terrorism.
His case revolves around efforts to bypass U.S. sanctions and fund Hizballah, a designated terrorist organization.
Bazzi’s Designation as a Global Terrorist
Back in 2018, the U.S. Department of Treasury labeled Bazzi a “Specially Designated Global Terrorist” for his extensive financial support of Hizballah.
This militant group, active since the 1980s, has carried out numerous terror attacks, including those targeting American personnel overseas.
Bazzi’s involvement included funding Hizballah with millions of dollars earned through his business operations in various countries such as Lebanon, Belgium, and Iraq, as well as across West Africa.
Following this designation, any U.S.-based assets connected to him were frozen, and American individuals and companies were prohibited from conducting business with him.
Elaborate Conspiracy to Evade Sanctions
According to court documents, Bazzi, alongside his associate Talal Chahine (still at large in Lebanon), devised a scheme to extract money from real estate in Michigan.
They pressured a U.S. individual to liquidate property assets and send the proceeds overseas without the necessary licenses from the U.S. government.
The two conspired to hide Bazzi’s role in the transactions and proposed multiple tactics to deceive U.S. authorities.
These included falsified real estate deals, sham purchases of equipment from China, and fictitious family loans, all designed to funnel the money to Lebanon.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Bazzi’s arrest took place in Romania in early 2023, thanks to cooperation between U.S. and Romanian authorities.
He was later extradited to New York, where he now faces a potential 20-year prison sentence.
He has agreed to forfeit nearly $830,000 involved in the illegal transactions and will be deported from the U.S. after serving his sentence.
Collaborative Efforts to Combat Organized Crime
The successful prosecution of Bazzi is part of a broader initiative by the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF), a program that focuses on dismantling major criminal organizations.
In this case, multiple U.S. attorneys and FBI officials contributed to the investigation, reflecting the government’s commitment to combatting international terror financing networks.
Further details on OCDETF can be found through the Justice Department’s official site.
Bazzi’s sentencing hearing is still to be scheduled, and his case remains a critical example of international cooperation in the fight against terrorism.
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