The Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) of the U.S. Department of the Treasury coordinated with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) today, Tuesday, to add key Hezbollah operatives and financial facilitators in South America and Lebanon to the sanctions list. This action includes Amer Mohammed Aqil Raad, who, in addition to his role as a senior operative of Hezbollah, was one of the party executives involved in the attack against the Argentine-Israeli Mutual Association (AMIA) in Argentina in 1994, which resulted in the deaths of 85 people. Amer and his associates manage a business project for Hezbollah, including coal exports to Lebanon. This action targets seven key individuals and entities in this network that generates revenue for Hezbollah's activities and supports its presence in Latin America. The report states: "Since its inception, Hezbollah has established a vast global infrastructure that includes business activities allowing its members to travel freely, strategically identify targets, and transfer materials and funds." Deputy Treasury Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, Brian E. Nelson, stated, "Today's action reaffirms the U.S. government's commitment to pursuing Hezbollah operatives and financiers regardless of their location." He added, "We will continue to root out those who seek to exploit the U.S. and international financial system to finance and engage in terrorism." The OFAC classifies this network of family members, business partners, and companies based in South America and Lebanon under Executive Order E.O. 13224, as amended, targeting terrorists and terrorist organizations, their leaders and officials, and those providing support to terrorists or terrorist activities.
Amer Mohammed Aqil Raad is a veteran member of Hezbollah currently residing in Lebanon, but he has served in an operational role for the organization for over a decade in South America. Amer worked as a prominent member of Hezbollah's External Security Organization (ESO), which is responsible for Hezbollah's operations outside the region. He coordinated various business activities for Hezbollah, including coal exports from Colombia to Lebanon. As an operative and leader for Hezbollah, Amer uses up to 80% of his business project revenues for the benefit of Hezbollah. Moreover, Amer worked closely with Salman Raouf Salman, another member involved in the AMIA bombing, which targeted the largest Jewish community in South America, resulting in 85 deaths and hundreds of injuries. He is also alleged to be involved in the 1992 bombing of the Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires. Amer has been designated under Executive Order E.O. 13224, as amended, for acting or claiming to act on behalf of Hezbollah, directly or indirectly.
Samer Aqil Raad, Amer's brother, is also a member of Hezbollah and has been actively involved in crimes related to drug trafficking and money laundering in various Latin American countries. Samer previously resided in Belize but fled due to a drug-related legal issue. He was involved in a shipment of 500 kilograms of cocaine valued at around $15 million, which was hidden in fruit shipments and ultimately seized in El Salvador. Samer is the general manager and CEO of BCI Technologies C.A. based in Venezuela. He has been designated under E.O. 13224, as amended, for providing material assistance, sponsorship, or financial, material, technological, or service support to Hezbollah. BCI Technologies has also been designated under E.O. 13224 and its amendments as it is owned or controlled by Samer directly or indirectly.
Mahdi Aqil al-Halabi, Amer's son, conducts business activities in Colombia on behalf of Amer and is accused of evading sanctions. He established Zanga S.A.S., a coal company headquartered in Colombia, which was the main supplier for businesses controlled by individuals in this network, including Amer. Al-Halabi is the CEO of Zanga S.A.S. He has been designated under E.O. 13224, as amended, for providing material assistance, sponsorship, or financial, material, technological, or service support to Amer.
Black Diamond SARL and Ali Ismail Ajroush received transfers totaling approximately $40,000 from Black Diamond SARL, based in Lebanon, for the purchase of coal or charcoal. Ali Ismail Ajroush is the owner of Black Diamond SARL. The company has been designated under E.O. 13224, as amended, for providing material assistance, sponsorship, or financial, material, technological, or service support to Zanga S.A.S. Ali Ismail Ajroush has been designated under E.O. 13224, as amended, for owning or controlling, directly or indirectly, Black Diamond SARL.
**Implications of the Sanctions**
As a result of today’s action, all property and interests of the individuals and entities mentioned above will be blocked and must be reported to the Office of Foreign Assets Control. OFAC regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within the United States (including transactions that pass through the U.S.) involving any property or interests in property of designated persons. Additionally, individuals engaging in certain transactions with those designated today may face sanctions or enforcement action. Furthermore, engaging in certain transactions with the individuals and entities listed today carries the risk of secondary sanctions under E.O. 13224, as amended. Those designated today are also subject to the financial sanctions regulations of Hezbollah, which implement the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Act of 2015, as amended by the Hezbollah International Financing Prevention Amendments Act of 2018. Under these authorities, OFAC can prohibit or impose stringent conditions related to opening or maintaining correspondent or payable-through accounts in the United States by a foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates any significant transaction on behalf of a designated global terrorist or, among other things, deliberately facilitates a significant deal for Hezbollah or designated individuals for their connections to Hezbollah.
