FBI Probe in North Louisiana

knoe.com ^ | 02/22/06 | Gina Swanson

[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.

[reformedliberal]

I have owned and run a successful small business in the USA for over 40 years. No government involved, except that I do pay taxes. We began a second business in 1995 that is still thriving.

All it takes is an idea, some savings and a lot of hard work.
Goverment has nothing to do with it.

[BIGZ]

For you that can't see the forest for the trees, the point is that new comers to the US arrive with money with which they can immediately buy a business. That is they have Capital. The US tax system does not allow the middle class to accumulate savings. Some do of course but the majority can't.

How many middle class Americans can save several hundred thousands of dollars that will allow them to buy a going business which is what these foreigns do. They bring the money in.

[dandiegirl]

OK, so did our school in Ruston. where did you go?

[Cedar]

"I always joke to my friends that Saddam should have fled Iraq, moved to Tunica, and opened a gas station. Wouldn't have found him in a million years"

Tunica's gotten pretty busy lately. Bet one of the tourist would spot him. :)

[pollyg107]

I've seen some pretty suspicious MEs at the casinos in Vicksburg, especially the Ameristar. About 3 months ago, a group of 5 of them came in and walked around. I was curious, so I followed them through the casino. They were there for over an hour and never played a game or ate. They just walked around, over and over, throughout the entire casino. When they walked out, I told the security guard what they had done. He just nodded and said, "I know." I guess the cameras were watching them.

[Cboldt]

I wonder who leaked the sting?