Hezbollah, facing a severe financial crisis due to intensified Israeli attacks on its resources in Lebanon, is reportedly ramping up illegal drug sales in Europe.
This shift, disclosed by former U.S. officials to VOA, follows weeks of escalating Israeli offensives against Hezbollah's infrastructure, including Sunday airstrikes on Al-Qard Al-Hassan, Hezbollah’s quasi-banking institution. These attacks target financial sources critical to Hezbollah’s operations in Lebanon.
Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated terror group, is reported to be turning to European drug trafficking to generate rapid funds. Law enforcement sources indicate that the group has a vast network for smuggling and laundering drug money, with organized crime operations spanning Africa and Latin America.
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According to Europol, Hezbollah uses Europe as a base for illegal fundraising and recruitment, leveraging contacts within EU-based organized crime to manage drug transport, distribution, and money laundering.
Former U.S. official David Asher noted a spike in European interest in Hezbollah-linked drug activities, with traffickers reportedly contacted to accelerate shipments.
Thomas Cindric, a retired DEA agent, corroborated these findings, stating that Hezbollah faces “no choice” but to turn to drug trafficking as its primary revenue streams falter under Israeli pressure.
Demand for illicit drugs, particularly cocaine, is high in Europe, where Hezbollah has connections with South American cartels that ship drugs via West Africa to the EU.
Although Hezbollah's rapid escalation of drug operations seems financially promising, it faces significant challenges, including competition from other European crime networks and proactive law enforcement.
Europol’s aggressive targeting of encrypted communications has led to rising drug seizures in recent years, adding pressure to Hezbollah’s activities.
Additionally, U.S. sanctions continue to focus on dismantling the group’s international finance networks.
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