Posted on 02/22/2006 6:10:51 PM PST by Ellesu
The FBI is conducting a large scale investigation into north Louisiana convenience stores with ties to the Middle East. As TV8's Gina Swanson reports the Department of Homeland Security is in on the sting operation involving stores in at least four parishes.
They seized evidence by the box full. The FBI on Wednesday searched at least a half dozen convenience stores in North Louisiana. All with ties to the Middle East. The probe led agents to stores in Tallulah, Lake Providence, Monroe and Ruston. Law enforcement sources confirm that the stores are suspected of involvement in money laundering or counterfeiting. The Department of Homeland Security has sent agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or Ice, to work the case. At each station, agents seized boxes of evidence and retrieved at least one weapon. Police sources say at least some of the gas station operators are from Yemen. An Arab country located just south of Saudi Arabia. ULM history professor John Sutherlin believes the arab heritage of the convenience store owners could make them a convenient target for terror suspects. "Anytime Arab or Muslim people are involved people immediately think it must be terror related or have some connection to 9-11," Sutherlin says. The investigation reaches beyond Louisiana. TV8 news has confirmed the FBI and department of homeland security Wednesday also raided stores in Buffalo, New York.
Woo Hoo! Come to NJ too!
7-11 and 9-11. I knew there had to be a connection. ;-)
Oh, no!
Not Tallulah!
I love that little town.
"Coming to a MS Conv store near you"
I hope not!
This should be pinged to the 'threat matrix' group here on Freepers.
You can have the pleasure.
I don't do matrix or canteen :>)
ping
>>>Seems alot has to deal with cigarettes.
Just like the Lackawanna, Michigan and North Carolina cells.
I used to play Talluah Academy in football.
I suspect this what is happening. LIke I said I know some of the guys in the store in Ruston. This store is owned by some Yemen corporation. The guys work there scrap some stuff on the side and send it back to the store owners under the table. I find it hard to imagine some of these Dorks there are active terrorist.
They're looking for Hawala operations in the stores.
Workings of the Hawala System
The word "hawala" means "transfer" in Arabic. In some contexts, the word "hawala" is used synonymously with "trust," usually to express the personal connection between participants and the informal nature of the transactions.
In essence, Hawala is a transfer or remittance from one party to another, without use of a formal financial institution such as a bank or money exchange, and is, in this sense, an "informal" transaction. There are several other common aspects to Hawala.
First, in most cases, Hawala transactions go across international lines, such as with worker remittances to their home countries.
Second, Hawala usually involves more than one currency, although again this is not absolutely required.
Third, a Hawala transaction usually entails principals and intermediaries.
To accommodate requests of the principals, the intermediaries usually take financial positions. Later, much as in the case of conventional banking practices, these transactions will be cleared amongst the units to balance their books.
http://www.ccc.nps.navy.mil/si/nov02/southAsia.asp
The word "hawala" means "transfer" in Arabic.
and here i thought it was the 50th state.
Hawala = Hawaii = leis.
Yes, I see your thinking...lol.
I DID go to public school in MS you know
Even if it was 40 years ago.
"I don't do matrix or canteen :>)"
lol...smart boy...now put it to use for our country!
Lovyuverymuch...penhead
"The word "hawala" means "transfer" in Arabic."
yes...here is where it transfers too....
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hawala
here is the other...bad boy...:
http://www.interpol.int/Public/FinancialCrime/MoneyLaundering/hawala/default.asp
Facts are Facts.
Wow, those of un in Vicksburg are practically a stone's throw from Tallulah. My wife is convinced at least one c-store here is a cover joint.
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