The problem is that all of these "common" criminals are attached to the terrorist network. Like it says in the article:
"If the criminals don't get their money within 72 hours or so, they sell them up the chain to other groups," said a British security consultant who has been operating in Iraq for a year."
Higher up the chain = terrorist groups. So they definetly have ties, and it is quite possible that some of these bigger fish are going to demand some of the money.
-paridel