Hezbollah $$$ Laundering Probe Focuses On Tulsa Car Dealership

FBI and U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration launches an investigation into a multi-million dollar money laundering scheme which starts in Oklahoma and involves Oklahoman's helping terrorists.

The scheme begins at Ace Auto Leasing, which was used as a cover for Terrorists, drugs and other illegal activity. That has allegedly funneled $483 million through terrorist-controlled channels to Hezbollah and other Terrorists groups since January 2007.

Ace Auto Leasing, 5717 E. 11th St., is one of about 30 U.S. car buyers along with several other entities accused of facilitating the arrangement, according to a civil lawsuit filed Thursday in the U.S. Southern District of New York.

The red flag for the deal? Authorities say Ace Auto in Tulsa received more than $20 million in wire transfers from Hezbollah members or Hezbollah-controlled entities to purchase and ship used cars.

Records maintained by the Oklahoma Tax Commission indicate Mohamad K. Soukieh is the only officer associated with the corporation Ace Auto Leasing Inc. of Tulsa.

Tulsa County assessor records indicate property utilized as a used car lot in the 5700 block of East 11th Street was purchased by Mohamad K and Daad Soukieh in 2002. Adjacent property and land was purchased in 2005 and 2007.

Hezbollah is a Lebanon-based terrorist organization responsible for some of the most deadly anti-U.S. attacks dating to 1983. The group was formed in 1982 after the Israeli invasion of Lebanon. It has been designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization, a Specially Designated Terrorist and a Specially Designated Global Terrorist.

Fifty-six terrorists groups all over the world are looking for new sources of funding. One of the ways they can find it is through drug sourcing activities.

In all, 30 domestic companies are being investigated.

A joint terrorism task force is looking for more than $480 million dollars from Lebanese institutions.

The money laundering scheme alleged is a complicated system involving car buyers and drug dealers with the Lebanese Canadian Bank acting at the center of the operation. Used car and other consumer good sales were used to hide the proceeds of illegal drug sales, all profiting Hezbollah and its efforts, the lawsuit alleges.

"The businesses of these car buyers typically have little or no property or assets other than bank accounts that are used to receive wires from overseas to buy cars, and to purchase used cars at auction," the lawsuit states.

"The car buyers typically do not have offices, car lots, or an inventory of used cars other than cars that are in transit to the ports. Some of the car buyers purchase cars for their own account, but others simply retain a fee of a few hundred dollars for each car that they buy."

A significant portion of the cash from car sales was allegedly transported to Lebanon by a Hezbollah-controlled system of money couriers, cash smugglers and currency brokers, according to the lawsuit.

A transportation company in Michigan is accused of frequently shipping cars to West Africa and other entities. Cash was then sent on to the Beirut airport, where Hezbollah security guarded and guided its passage to its final destination, the lawsuit alleges.

"The intricate scheme laid out in today's complaint reveals the deviously creative ways that terrorist organizations are funding themselves and moving their money, and it puts into stark relief the nexus between narcotics trafficking and terrorism," Bharara stated in a press release Friday. "Today, we are putting a stranglehold on a major source of that funding by disrupting a vast and far-flung network that spanned three continents."

In addition, the same infrastructure was used to hide and move money from drug sales from West Africa back to Lebanon, the lawsuit claims.

The system involved getting cocaine from Colombia through Africa to European markets. Proceeds were mixed with the used car profits and sent to the Lebanese Canadian Bank through exchange houses, the lawsuit alleges.

The Lebanese Canadian Bank also sent money through U.S. accounts to pay Asian suppliers of consumer goods, which were shipped to dealers in South America to pay off cocaine suppliers, the lawsuit alleges.

"DEA and its partners have exposed the Lebanese Canadian Bank as a major money laundering source for Hezbollah," stated DEA administrator Michele M. Leonhart in a press release Friday.

"The connection between drug traffickers and terror networks is evident. By attacking the financial networks of those who wish to harm innocent Americans, DEA is strengthening national security and making our citizens safer."


For more Background see:

Holy Land Retrial Ends in Sweeping Guilty Verdicts

Terror in Oklahoma

OHP Troop S working 9 to 5, and a ODOT SLUSH FUND?

Did Gary Ridley say that?

So, Gary just how much is in that
Size and Weights fund?

ODOT pay $7,500 and still do not know what a Twitter is

Hat Tip to OFRGnews

After ODOT pay Saxum PR (Renzi Stone) $7,500 + to teach them how to use twitter, We as Oklahoma taxpayer get this...

Terrill take on ODOT, Mayor McCheese and the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce

The closing of a small section of railway in downtown Oklahoma City by the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Rail company has attracted the interest of State Representative Randy Terrill.

Terrill recently wrote to the federal government's Surface Transportation Board objecting to BNSF's abandonment of a rail line due to the relocation of the I-40 crosstown.

The State Representative argues the abandonment will worsen the blockage of traffic by trains across South 4th and Main Streets in downtown Moore. "Clear security concerns are also raised by this plan," wrote the legislator. He cited Altus Air Force Base and Fort Sill as well as Tinker Air Force base as being at risk due to the closing of the tract.

Meanwhile, El Reno Tribune editors have sided with other towns in central Oklahoma who are asking for an investigation of the relocation project by Governor Brad Henry.

"The rail supporters made their case to the councils in each of the four communities (El Reno, Norman, Chickasha and Shawnee) and apparently their argument must have been convincing," stated the Tribune in a recent editorial.
The editors argue that a huge amount of federal funding is being spent on the relocation of Interstate 40--thus it's being funded by taxpayers. "Cities around the nation, many similar in size to Oklahoma City and the surrounding area, have developed commuter rail service, so why shouldn't we in central Oklahkoma be talking to one another about this regional issue?'

Senate Dist. 45: Loveless Questions Other Candidates’ Lack of Plan

Conservative Republican state senate candidate, Kyle Loveless today reiterated his plan for improving Oklahoma’s dilapidated roads and bridges and questioned why the other candidate’s still lack a plan for this crucial issue.

“The most recent Sooner Survey identifies road and bridge funding as THE most important priority for Oklahomans, yet my opponents have failed to address this crucial issue. My transportation funding plan will transform our roads from a source of shame into a spur for economic development,” said Loveless.

“My plan is a four-step process.

First, reduce administrative overhead at ODOT and put the funds into roads and bridges.

Second, funds collected for a certain purpose should be spent for that purpose and that purpose ONLY. Gas taxes and tag fees were collected to be used for roads and bridges. They should be used for that purpose, period.

Third, remove the cap on transportation funding. We don’t have a cap on other vital functions of government. We should not have one on roads and bridges.

Finally, decisions about road project should not be political, but based on need and traffic counts instead of who is the Chairman of a certain committee.”

Loveless also questioned his opponents’ lack of a coherent plan for road funding.

“For the first time, according to the attached polling, roads and bridges are THE most important issue on people’s minds. Where and what are their plans? The people of senate district 45 need real leadership, not empty promises or bumper sticker politics. The most troubling thing, is that at the legislature now they are talking about going into debt to pay for roads – that is wrong.”

“I have personally knocked on doors from Mustang to Moore, and people are tired of politicians taking orders from special interests and fat cat lobbyists. People want answers about issues THEY care about, and they want them now!”

PUBLIC MEETING ON I-35 FRONTAGE ROADS

PUBLIC MEETING
ON I-35 FRONTAGE ROADS

The City of Norman is hosting a public meeting to discuss I-35 Frontage Roads between Tecumseh and Main on Monday, May 19 from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. The meeting will be held at the Norman Holiday Inn in the Main Ballroom.

The City of Norman has initiated an analysis of the I-35 Frontage Road system, and is seeking public input. The analysis will evaluate current conditions and lay the groundwork for possible improvements in the area. The analysis will include consideration of one-way frontage roads. The results of the analysis will help guide future improvements, and will include consideration of ODOT plans to improve I-35 in the area.

The team is seeking public input and assistance in the development of plans. The first of two public meetings is scheduled for Monday, May 19 at 7:00 p.m. at the Norman Holiday Inn. There will be a brief presentation, and then a series of stations where the team will be asking for the public’s input on current concerns and the future of these corridors. An additional public meeting, where possible improvement scenarios will be discussed is tentatively scheduled for later this summer.

“This is an important analysis, given the role of businesses located along I-35 in our community and the importance of the corridor in our transportation system” said Norman’s Shawn O’Leary, Director of Public Works. “We really hope that residents, members of the business community, retailers and general users of the Frontage Road system will participate and give their input.”