Hezbollah Intensifies Drug Trade in Europe.. Searching for Alternative Funding Sources
Hezbollah's accelerated attempts to boost drug trade in Europe show the impact of Israeli strikes on its traditional financial resources, while the group's current financial crisis reveals its increas
October 23, 2024, 8:34 pm

Hezbollah Intensifies Drug Trade in Europe.. Searching for Alternative Funding Sources

المخدرات (أرشيف)

A Voice of America investigation revealed Hezbollah militia's frantic efforts to intensify drug trafficking operations in Europe, following severe blows to its main funding sources due to ongoing Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon.

The investigation highlighted the disruption of three main funding sources for the militia: Al-Qard Al-Hassan Foundation, collapsed commercial banks, and cash flows through Beirut International Airport.

David Asher, former official at the U.S. Departments of Defense and State, stated in exclusive comments: "I was told they are being contacted to arrange drug trafficking operations on behalf of Hezbollah-affiliated entities as quickly as possible... This doesn't mean there's actually more drugs on the streets yet, but I expect it because Hezbollah's money is at risk in Lebanon."

A 2022 Europol report indicated that the Lebanese militia had made the European Union "a base for fundraising, recruitment, and criminal activities from which it derives significant profits."

Hans-Jakob Schindler, Director of the "Counter Extremism Project," stated that Europe represents the world's largest cocaine market, surpassing the United States, noting the militia's evolving relationships with drug cartels in South America.

Security officials dismissed the likelihood of Hezbollah's success in expanding its criminal activity, citing two main factors: fierce competition from other organized crime groups and intense monitoring by European security agencies.

Quentin Mugg, a French police officer at Europol, pointed to increased drug shipment seizures in recent years, confirming the agency's focus on tracking encrypted communications of smugglers.

Levant-Agencies

High-Level Iranian Spy Uncovered at the U.S. Department of Defense 5 Killed in Attack Targeting Turkish Military Industries Center in Ankara

BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has announced its sponsorship of the “Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition (GU - IST Solutions), hosted by Gulf University at its main campus.
This strategic sponsorship reflects BENEFIT’s active role in advancing technological innovation and fostering sustainable solutions to future challenges. It also seeks to empower Bahraini youth by enhancing their skills, capabilities, and competitiveness in innovation and solution development—contributing meaningfully to the broader goals of sustainable development across all sectors.
As part of BENEFIT’s active involvement in the competition, the company has announced that Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication, will serve on the competition’s supervisory committee. Her upcoming participation reflects BENEFIT’s forward-looking commitment to championing academic and professional excellence.
Commenting on the occasion, Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Communication at BENEFIT, said, “We are privileged to support this pioneering initiative, which aligns seamlessly with BENEFIT’s enduring commitment to fostering innovation and nurturing the potential of Bahrain’s youth. Our participation is rooted in a deep sense of social responsibility and a firm belief in the pivotal role of innovation in shaping a sustainable future. Through such platforms, we seek to empower the next generation with the knowledge, skills, and foresight required to develop impactful solutions that address future challenges, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 2030.”
Dr. Aseel Al Ayash Dean of the College of Engineering in Gulf University commented, “We extend our sincere gratitude to BENEFIT for their generous sponsorship and support of the Innovation and Sustainable Technology Solutions Competition. This contribution plays an instrumental role in helping us achieve the strategic goals of this initiative, namely, cultivating a culture of innovation and sustainability, encouraging efforts that address the imperatives of sustainable development, and enhancing the practical and professional capabilities of our students and participants.”
The event will bring together a diverse spectrum of participants, including secondary school students, university undergraduates, engineers, industry professionals, entrepreneurs, academic researchers, and subject matter experts representing a wide range of disciplines.
The competition seeks to inspire participants to develop and present innovative, sustainable technologies aimed at addressing pressing environmental, social, and economic challenges. It encourages the formulation of business models that integrate advanced technological solutions with core principles of sustainability. Moreover, it serves as a platform for emerging leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators to contribute to the advancement of the Sustainable Development Goals, promote the ethos of responsible technology, and demonstrate its transformative potential across various sectors.
Attendees will have the opportunity to view a series of project presentations submitted by participants, covering diverse areas such as eco-friendly product design, smart and sustainable innovations, renewable energy technologies, water conservation and management, waste minimisation and recycling, green architectural solutions, and sustainable transportation systems. Outstanding projects will be formally recognised and awarded at the conclusion of the event.