Operation Cassandra: Uncovering Hezbollah's Role in Drug Trade in Latin America

News Bulletin Reports
25-02-2023 | 16:04
High views
Share
LBCI
Share
LBCI
Whatsapp
facebook
Twitter
Messenger
telegram
telegram
print
Operation Cassandra: Uncovering Hezbollah's Role in Drug Trade in Latin America
Whatsapp
facebook
Twitter
Messenger
telegram
telegram
print
2min
Operation Cassandra: Uncovering Hezbollah's Role in Drug Trade in Latin America

In 2008, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) launched Operation Cassandra, following evidence that Hezbollah had a role in the trafficking of cocaine in Latin America, specifically in Colombia and Venezuela.

Most of the information available about the operation comes from an investigative report by journalist Josh Meyer in Politico magazine.

According to the report, a network of Lebanese businessmen was working to finance Hezbollah directly by exporting cocaine from Latin America to Europe via Africa, and to the United States via Mexico.

The money laundering resulting from this trade was carried out by buying used cars in the United States and exporting them to Africa, where they were sold, and the money was sent to Lebanon.

Cassandra was the main reason for putting the Lebanese-Canadian Bank on the sanctions list, and it was also the reason for the arrest or sanctioning of many Lebanese in Lebanon and around the world, including:

Ayman Juma, who was sanctioned in 2011
Ali Fayyad, who was arrested in 2014 in Prague
Adham Tabaja, who is on the terrorism sanctions list
Mohammed Noureddine, who was arrested in 2017 in Paris
Samer el Debek, who was arrested in 2017 in Michigan
Joseph Asmar, who was arrested in 2017 in Paris
Abdullah Safi al-Din, who was sanctioned in 2018
Qasim Taj al-Din, who was arrested in 2017 and released in 2020
And others.

However, the Cassandra team's work soon began to slow down, as the conflict between U.S. agencies contributed to its end.

But many insist that the main reason was the political choice of the Obama administration team, giving priority to the Iranian nuclear agreement over efforts to curb Hezbollah.

While the work of U.S. agencies may have slowed down, it is clear that it did not stop for a single day, as evidenced by the recent arrest of Lebanese businessman Mohamad Bazzi in Romania.

Lebanon News

News Bulletin Reports

Operation

Cassandra

Drug

Trade

Lebanon

Hezbollah

Latin

America

LBCI Next
Details emerge: Israel strikes building in Beirut's southern suburbs, marking second attack in days
Recommended For You
d-none hideMe
LBCI
News Bulletin Reports
13:15

AI vs. AI: Cyber-attacks redraw battle lines in Iran-Israel war

LBCI
News Bulletin Reports
13:05

Fifth day of war: How Iran and Israel are testing each other's limits

LBCI
News Bulletin Reports
13:00

Inside the new war front: Israel shuts offshore gas fields amid rising Iranian missile threats

LBCI
News Bulletin Reports
12:55

Clock ticking on diplomacy: Can US and Iran rekindle nuclear talks?

Subscribe to our VOD
SUBSCRIBE
Our visitors readings
d-none hideMe
LBCI
News Bulletin Reports
2025-04-06

Gold vs. silver: A closer look at the market's future

LBCI
Lebanon News
2025-04-06

Israeli strike kills two in Zibqin, South Lebanon: Health Ministry

LBCI
News Bulletin Reports
2025-04-03

Key questions loom ahead of US envoy Morgan Ortagus' Beirut visit: Will Hezbollah's disarmament be discussed?

LBCI
Lebanon News
2025-04-14

President Aoun says reforms driven by Lebanon’s own priorities, not foreign demands

Videos
d-none hideMe
LBCI
Lebanon News
2025-06-10

Clash between Lebanese Army and residents of Deir Qanoun Al Nahr results in injuries (Video)

LBCI
Lebanon News
2025-06-04

Mexico dedicates garden around Lebanese Emigrant Statue in Beirut to mark 80 years of diplomatic ties

LBCI
Lebanon News
2025-05-19

President Aoun to seek Egyptian support for Lebanese Army in detecting explosives and tunnels

LBCI
Lebanon News
2025-05-15

LBCI Exclusive: US steps up pressure on Hezbollah, Morgan Ortagus details sanctions and vision for Lebanon's future

LBCI
Lebanon News
2025-05-11

Kuwait rolls out official welcome for Lebanon's President Aoun – video

LBCI
Lebanon News
2025-05-11

Security incidents temporarily disrupt voting in several Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh centers

LBCI
News Bulletin Reports
2025-05-09

EU ambassador says 'we are not just donors, but genuine partners to Lebanon': Insights from exclusive LBCI interview

LBCI
Lebanon News
2025-04-23

US envoy Morgan Ortagus hails Lebanese diaspora, says country stands at a crossroads

LBCI
Lebanon News
2025-04-08

Morgan Ortagus urges Lebanon to pass banking reforms to restore financial trust

Most read
d-none hideMe
24 hours
7 days
Month
LBCI
Lebanon News
06:43

Qatar grants Lebanon aviation systems, public transport buses

LBCI
Lebanon News
05:12

Three Israeli drones fly over Beirut’s southern suburbs, national agency reports

LBCI
Middle East News
04:18

Upcoming strike on Iran could surpass pager explosion op, LBCI correspondent Amal Shehadeh says

LBCI
Lebanon Economy
02:40

Fuel prices rise in Lebanon

LBCI
Lebanon News
06:24

MEA cancels June 18 flights to Baghdad due to Iraqi airspace closure

LBCI
Lebanon News
08:14

MEA adjusts flight schedules from Beirut to Jordan and Gulf region from June 18 to 20

LBCI
Lebanon News
07:34

MEA announces additional Paris flight for Thursday, June 19

LBCI
Middle East News
05:35

Iran’s Revolutionary Guard says it targeted Mossad center in Tel Aviv

Download now the LBCI mobile app
To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world
Google Play
App Store
Download now the LBCI mobile app
We use
cookies
We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.
Accept
Learn More