• Published 19:12 09.01.10
  • Latest update 19:36 09.01.10

Report: Hezbollah funded by drug trade in Europe

German police arrested Lebanese men who transferred millions of Euros to family connected to Hezbollah.

By Assaf Uni Tags: Hezbollah Hassan Nasrallah Israel news

German police suspect the Lebanese militant group, Hezbollah, of using drug trafficking in Europe to fund part of its activities, German magazine Der Spiegel reported on Saturday.

According to the report published on the magazine's website, German police arrested two Lebanese citizens living in Germany last October after they transferred large sums of money to a family in Lebanon with connections to Hezbollah's leadership, including the Shiite group's Secretary General, Hassan Nasrallah.

Suspicion was first raised in May 2008, when police found 8.7 million Euros in the bags of four Lebanese men at the airport in Frankfurt.

Police searched the men's apartment in Speyer, Germany, and found an additional half a million Euros.

According to the report, police suspected the men were selling cocaine in Europe and sending the profits back to Lebanon.

The report added that the two suspects went through training at a Hezbollah camp. The suspects deny the charges against them.

Israel has in recent years accused Hezbollah of drug trafficking along the Lebanon-Israel border.

However, Nasrallah has denied Israel's charge of "narcoterrorism." In a speech last November, he accused Israel of trying to put a political spin on what in his view is simply a drug operation run by Lebanese drug dealers in collusion with Israeli border guards.

Israeli police say that based on evidence gathered from interrogating busted traffickers, nothing happens on the Lebanon-Israel border without Hezbollah's consent.

Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah.

Photo by: (AP)
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  • 59. 0 0
    H london and Iran has over 1 million heroin addicts.
    • Petra
    • 11.01.10
    • 12:30

    wake up and smell the drugs cooking. Iran's awash is addicts and heroin. Good for them best way to avoid their own reality and the best way to conquer them.

  • 58. 0 0
    nahhhhh hahahaha good one!
    • Michelle Wayne
    • 11.01.10
    • 02:23

    the joke of the year and it's only the begininig

  • 57. 0 0
    MAFIA HESBOLLAH
    • Michelle Wayne
    • 11.01.10
    • 02:04

    why it took so long to find out?Everybody knows that Hezbollah has connections and is involved to All the criminal org in the world.As criminal org only they should be destroyed, and Lebanese gov is supporting them, The Lebanese gov should be accounted for this, now I know how the Lebanese gangs in the world make money thrum Hezbollah.Get the ME drug dealers out of Australia!

  • 56. 0 0
    Drug Selling....Hezbollah
    • The Teacher/Instruct
    • 11.01.10
    • 00:31

    Drugs & Hezbollah, This is the underground war by Hezbollah & their kind,from S.America & S.E. Asia. It's a trade to weaken the resolve of the youth,& to quietly poison the non-suspecting World !

  • 55. 0 0
    Drug trade?
    • TAFLA
    • 10.01.10
    • 23:57

    This report was made by the same German magazine Der Spiegel that accused Hezbollah previousely in assisinatiOn late PM Hariri which was proved wrong and full of lies. Now the same magazine is accusing some lebanese of drug trade because they found some cash on them. Did the German Police find any drugs on them or in their appartment? No. Finally, to those whom talking down about Mr. Nasrallah, I say: Mr. Nasrallah is the most respected honest human being and I wish there are more like him on this earth.

  • 54. 0 0
    no surprise. You are allowed to sell drugs to infidels.
    • jo
    • 10.01.10
    • 13:57

    to aid the cause. No surprise they deny it, in public you have to appear very clean. Respectability is paramount. Being found out is always denied and crushing and denied.

  • 53. 0 0
    # 1 T. Traub
    • maoriboy
    • 10.01.10
    • 10:04

    Remember the Iran Contra affair,drugs for arms. CIA and Contras cocaine trafficking in the US Released on April 13, 1989, the Kerry Committee report concluded that members of the U.S. State Department "who provided support for the Contras were involved in drug trafficking...and elements of the Contras themselves knowingly received financial and material assistance from drug traffickers."

  • 52. 0 0
    The main drug dealers are the CIA 2nd try
    • maoriboy
    • 10.01.10
    • 10:02

    Vietnam Era Iran Contra Affair Venezuelan National Guard Affair: The CIA - over the objections of the Drug Enforcement Administration, a branch of the Justice Department - approved the shipment of at least one ton of nearly pure cocaine to Miami International Airport as a way of gathering information about the Colombian drug cartels. But the cocaine ended up on the street because of "poor judgment and management on the part of several CIA officers," the intelligence agency said Afghanistan...

  • 51. 0 0
    Narcotics & Hizbullah
    • MM Rahi
    • 10.01.10
    • 05:26

    This is all israeli and western propaganda and bullshit against Hezbullah while Hezb is gaining strength against israeli war machines, Simply israel is worried (Hezb are not soft target anymore like pals) to play game with them.

  • 50. 0 0
    Weapons trafficking by Israel?
    • Walter
    • 10.01.10
    • 04:59

    Most of the people who use drugs do it voluntarily. How much money does Israel make selling weapons to poor countries? Is the history of Israel's weapons industry something that would compare favorably to Hezbollah drug dealers?

  • 49. 0 0
    Say Ahhh!
    • Jim
    • 10.01.10
    • 03:51

    "Israeli police say that based on evidence gathered ... nothing happens on the Lebanon-Israel border without Hezbollah's consent." So! Netanyahu is no doubt jealous of Nazrallah's influence and power. But I really do wish that Nazrallah's dentist would finish fixing his molars so that we would not have to look down his throat everytime he says ahhh!

  • 48. 0 0
    Report: Saddam has mobile Bio Weapons Lab
    • Mark Lincoln
    • 10.01.10
    • 03:17

    Don't forget what nation that lie started in. This report might be true. Or it might not. Several news leaks in the European press recently have been proven to be fabricated by someone and have been lies. For example one about the Iranians. . . "If it sounds too good to be true, it probably isn't." - sound advice

  • 47. 0 0
    @ # 14 - 100% agree
    • Margarita
    • 10.01.10
    • 02:46

  • 46. 0 0
    Ah, so this is how they pay their martyrs!
    • Heather Czerniak
    • 10.01.10
    • 01:59

    And their rockets and grenade launchers and bomb vests and...

  • 45. 0 0
    The main drug dealers are the CIA
    • maoriboy
    • 10.01.10
    • 01:30

    Vietnam Era Iran Contra Affair Venezuelan National Guard Affair: The CIA - over the objections of the Drug Enforcement Administration, a branch of the Justice Department - approved the shipment of at least one ton of nearly pure cocaine to Miami International Airport as a way of gathering information about the Colombian drug cartels. But the cocaine ended up on the street because of "poor judgment and management on the part of several CIA officers," the intelligence agency said Afghanistan...

  • 44. 0 0
    #6 fed up jeff
    • Erudite
    • 10.01.10
    • 01:28

    2 things Jeff if your fed up with the subject then why the hell do you bother reading an Israeli paper that reports the on going saga. last but not least jeff... get used to it.Israel is the canary in the mine and your previewing a live film that will be playing in a cinema near you.

  • 43. 0 0
    linwaithe
    • jon
    • 10.01.10
    • 01:12

    buddy, do you just post here to see your written words? do you even stop to think or do you just reflexsively try to bash israel even when your point is absurd...of course israel has drug families, like all countries do you ninny,however, israels drug families(gangs)don't finance the gov't..whereas hezbollahs use of drugs funds them, who as you know ARE the quasi govt...or does hariri know and partake of this too? I doubt hezbollah shares the money they need for missiles and other wmd's. and by the way, islam frowns on anything to do with druds, no? how interesting...could nasrallah be a hypocrite? lol.... You continously make yourself look like an idiot on here linwaithe..you are totally transparent and offer nothing interesting or honest.

  • 42. 0 0
    #17 Chris Linthwite
    • Igor
    • 10.01.10
    • 00:52

    What you say is irrelevant and has nothing to do with the fact that Hezb are the real NARCOS. The EU will be glad for those news. As for you, go mind your own business, big mouth.!!

  • 41. 0 0
    Nothing new, the message just needs to be louder!
    • CountryJew
    • 10.01.10
    • 00:38

    The Hezi terrorists have been in the Western Hemisphere since at least the 1990's. Remember the bombings that killed hundreds in Argentina? The liberal LA times reported on the Hezi terrorist infiltration in South America over a year ago. http://articles.latimes.com/2008/aug/27/world/fg-venezterror27 It's not surprising that a disgusting dictator like Hugo chavez would allow these monsters to operate under his watch.

  • 40. 0 0
    @18 - No Wrong, The Taliban were close to wiping out opium
    • Marc Leb
    • 10.01.10
    • 00:10

    When the US occupied the nation they allowed the growers to start again. The Taliban were fundamentally against Heroin and they know it's poison. Read some history

  • 39. 0 0
    A Penny Compared to the US Afghanistan Drug Trade
    • Marc Leb
    • 10.01.10
    • 00:08

    Apparently the family involved with this are "connected" or friends of Hezbollah. Hardly evidential in trying to lay the crime on Hezbollah's shoulders. Now let's compare this penny to the amount of money the US is making out of Afghanistan's drug trade. a zillion more. Drugs and alcohol are forbidden in muslim law. Lebanon sells a lot of dope, this is the way of things, it just so happens that the guy who got caught is probably friends with a Hezbollah member. Big Deal!

  • 38. 0 0
    What, Hezbo terrorists use illegal means to fund their activities
    • Nahhhhhhhh
    • 09.01.10
    • 23:50

    Can`t belive that. Impossible. Why would a terrorist organization resort to illegal and criminal means of funding its activities? It makes no sense. The only real explanatin for this is that the Mossad has planted this information in the media (that we all know controled by Jews) to defame innocent Hezbo terrorists.

  • 37. 0 0
    so some drug traffickers are patriotic
    • so what?
    • 09.01.10
    • 23:44

    that these drug traficers gave to a free lebanon does not make hezbollah guilty

  • 36. 0 0
    Justintime on taliban drug trade
    • history
    • 09.01.10
    • 23:34

    when in power the taliban stopped the opium trade....when the CIA liberated afghan the opium trade flourished...try to keep up ok?

  • 35. 0 0
    Iran yesterday lost 11 officers fighting drug smugglers
    • tea man
    • 09.01.10
    • 23:32

    so how a country fighting a war on drug would be involved accusing iran and hizbo of drug trade is like aCCUSING ISRAEL OF DOING HUMANE DEEDS

  • 34. 0 0
    #4
    • Dionysus
    • 09.01.10
    • 23:26

    Bet they wouldnt give a hoot if they were not muslims dying from them though.

  • 33. 0 0
    It all about "Arab Dignity"
    • Brad
    • 09.01.10
    • 22:34

    The rest of us can rot.

  • 32. 0 0
    stop taking drug then
    • tea man
    • 09.01.10
    • 22:32

    If you people worried that much boycott drug for month let us see how it affect the budget if it is not causing a dent go back to your old practice

  • 31. 0 0
    Lithwaite #17
    • ChanahS
    • 09.01.10
    • 22:29

    I'm sure the UK has a few of its own such families, but neither they nor those in Israel are subsidizing the arming of terrorists with the tacit agreement of the government. What's your point?

  • 30. 0 0
    H - quite possible hez is parially funded by drug money
    • Justintime
    • 09.01.10
    • 22:23

    Don't forget that the taliban is funded by the opium trade

  • 29. 0 0
    OMG
    • dave
    • 09.01.10
    • 22:05

    how can the army of allah can do a sin like this? maybe they dont really serve allah like they never tried to help their fellow lebanese people.. they only have one allah(this part is real) and its name is IRAN!!!

  • 28. 0 0
    #11 Lynn
    • Ivor Biggun
    • 09.01.10
    • 22:01

    And not one red cent from Madoff's ponzi scheme enteredt the economy of Israel then?

  • 27. 0 0
    #13 Stephen
    • Ivor Biggun
    • 09.01.10
    • 22:00

    Yes it all makes sense now. The funny thing is the Rabbi in London recently imprisoned for 10 years for dealing in Cocaine. It is all about supply and deman. The demand being those who wish to shove chemicals up their noses to induce Cocain narcosis. Hezbollzh zre merely fulfilling that demand and using the profits as it sees fit. It is just amazing, that this story appears at the same time that US legislatures are in Lebanon discussing aid. Why didn't it appear when Israel was losing Lebanon2?

  • 26. 0 0
    #14 atmeib
    • Chris Linthwaite
    • 09.01.10
    • 21:55

    Of course Israel doesn't have any families who are dealing in drugs?

  • 25. 0 0
    Nooo! Really? What a surprise!
    • Israeli citizen
    • 09.01.10
    • 21:51

  • 24. 0 0
    America gives Israel billions each year for weapons
    • Natallie Durson
    • 09.01.10
    • 21:25

    America gives Israel billions each year for weapons. This allows Israelis to feel morally superior to Hizbollah. Being on the dole has a different effect on most people.

  • 23. 0 0
    Der Spiegel always lies
    • Arik Silverman
    • 09.01.10
    • 21:24

    How many of Der Spiegel's hysterical claims have been proved false on closer examination in the past? Surprised you print this without a shred of reliable evidence.

  • 22. 0 0
    #6 Jeff - You're right!
    • Yonatan
    • 09.01.10
    • 21:17

    If only the US, Russia, the Security Council. the EU and the UN General Assembly would stop meddling in our area, we would solve our problems with Hezbollah in no time. That goes for Iran and Hamas too. And if you wish to bring up the subject of US military aid to Israel, here's a Hebrew maxim which the wise will comprehend: "The cow needs to suckle more than the calf needs to suck." Just think of Lockheed-Martin and McDonnell-Douglas workers and their families without AMerican military aid to Israel.

  • 21. 0 0
    To 5 #
    • Amir Mohamed
    • 09.01.10
    • 21:11

    Anything that is harmful to the body and affects the mind and senses in a detrimental way, is forbidden in Islam. Some Moslems believe that due to the fact that only Khamra (Wine) is mentioned in the Koran, other drugs are permitted. That is a stereotype and superficial understanding of why G-d forbade harmful substances. Certainly, by dissecting the meaning of wine-prohibition, also narcotic drugs are totally forbidden. Whoever deals with these kind of drugs is great sinner.

  • 20. 0 0
    Der Spiegel, hahaha....
    • FT
    • 09.01.10
    • 20:56

    When I read the headline.....and yes....

  • 19. 0 0
    Rebels Selling Drugs is not new
    • Stephen
    • 09.01.10
    • 20:48

  • 18. 0 0
    How surprising!!
    • Rory
    • 09.01.10
    • 20:46

    So the mass-murdering terrorists traffic drugs?? Who would have thunk it ... Yawn.

  • 17. 0 0
    #.5. JW. The Holy Koran does not mention...
    • Stephen
    • 09.01.10
    • 20:39

    ....the smuggling of drugs to the "Infidels". Good night,

  • 16. 0 0
    Conroy, please withdraw your racist comment
    • John
    • 09.01.10
    • 20:38

    Calling people monkeys is disgraceful.

  • 15. 0 0
    Hezbollah, Drug Partyers Of Anything But G-D
    • Lavi
    • 09.01.10
    • 20:37

    When you're disingenuous about your real relationship with G-d like militant Hezbollah members are, then you become very ingenious at finding ways to excuse your deadly, ungodly behavior time and time again. Now every time someone sees Nasrallah there is rightful suspicion drawn as to what he really keeps under wraps within his turban. Party of God's name, partyers of Satan's game!

  • 14. 0 0
    Lebanese Drug Families
    • atmleb
    • 09.01.10
    • 20:35

    These families have been trafficing and selling drugs since the days of the Ottoman Empire. They don't need Hizballah to operate

  • 13. 0 0
    Hezbollah and the drug all new drug cartel.
    • Stephen
    • 09.01.10
    • 20:30

    Many will not believe this post. Hezbollah is active in Venezuela. Also in Ciudad del Este in Paraguay. Drugs flow from Bolivia into Paraguay. Venezuela is the major exporter of Cocaine, through its connections with the Colombian FARC. The DEA and Europol are well aware of said situation. Maybe, soon enough Mr.Chavez will join Mr.Noreiga. Maybe even Mr,Nasrallah. Good night from freezing snowy Swiss Alps.

  • 12. 0 0
    No. 4 - Kuran bans alcohol
    • Birdie
    • 09.01.10
    • 20:28

    The koran bans alcohol. That's a joke. I used to be married to a Lebanese and the only thing (he says) is that a glass of whiskey (no less) is the only 'medicine' that takes away his headaches. Since he got the taste of alcohol (whisky), his headaches seems to be more frequent. LOL LOL LOL!

  • 11. 0 0
    Afganestan # 1 producer
    • paul
    • 09.01.10
    • 20:25

    Afganestan is still the world # 1 producer of drugs and we all know that nato troops control this country.

  • 10. 0 0
    Do they use the drug money to fund Al Manar?
    • Lynn
    • 09.01.10
    • 20:19

    interesting.

  • 9. 0 0
    The Party of God trafficks in drugs
    • Conroy
    • 09.01.10
    • 20:18

    when do the hezbollah apes go to their mosque, before or after spending their drug money?

  • 8. 0 0
    Deluded David
    • Ehud
    • 09.01.10
    • 20:12

    Interesting logic: poor Libanese have no oil, so there is no alternative but to deal with drugs in Europe. Who could blame them? But then, when you just think it cannot get any nuttier, David claims Israelis fund Hisbollah, because they sell drugs in Europe?

  • 7. 0 0
    United States Senators and Congressmen
    • Ivor Biggun
    • 09.01.10
    • 20:12

    still in Beruit discussing aid? It is hardly a surprise and I like the Venezuela tie in with reference to Cocaine. Some Lebanese sell Cannabis Resin it is called Red Leb. Hardly criminal activity. And then we have Israeli Jews running around the planet selling ecstasy. People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.

  • 6. 0 0
    Fed up with Israel and Hizbollah
    • Jeff
    • 09.01.10
    • 20:10

    These two have to sort out their problems. The world is fed up with their interminable fight.

  • 5. 0 0
    The Koran bans alcohol
    • JW
    • 09.01.10
    • 20:03

    It says nothing about cocaine, heroin, ecstasy, hashish, angel dust, PCP, mescaline, . . .

  • 4. 0 0
    Hezbollah does not sell Drugs. Period!
    • H
    • 09.01.10
    • 20:01

    That would be unislamic. You know how many Chidren die from Drug Dependency?

  • 3. 0 0
    narco's
    • smith
    • 09.01.10
    • 19:50

    What this author doesn't realize (or Der Spiegel) is that hizbollah has grown exponentially in south america. They are also profiting from selling drugs and smuggled goods in south america and funneling the money back to lebanon and iran. I wouldnt be surprised if the drugs sold in europe were grown in columbia/peru/brazil by their new operations there. Clearly they (and al qaeda) get money from wealthy muslims and from black market ops like these. Someone needs to catch the scumbags (from the religion of peace) red-handed and then connect the dots and show that al qaeda funds ops against americans the same way!

  • 2. 0 0
    Hezbollah's drug dealing.
    • David Nigel Braham
    • 09.01.10
    • 19:49

    Drug dealing is the second biggest money spinner after oil,as Hezbollah does not have oil,hence drugs. How many stupid Israelis are funding Hezbollah's terror organization and probably Syria's and Iran's and who knows who's.

  • 1. 0 0
    Iran
    • T. Traub
    • 09.01.10
    • 19:41

    Iran funds Hezbollah. Some drug profits from Europe are probably a drop in the bucket compared to the hundreds of millions of dollars in cash and weapon systems that Iran provides. If you want to cut Hez off at the knees, stop the Iranian aid. It may involve a regime change in Iran, of course, but the Iranian people and the rest of the world would be better off anyway.