Feds Arrest Four On Drug-Related Terrorism Charges
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Four men are being accused of conspiring to provide support to terror groups.
The U.S. Attorney's Office announced in Lower Manhattan said that the suspects sold weapons and drugs with the intent of funneling the profits to terrorist groups overseas.
In the first case, prosecutors say an Afghan man sold assault rifles and heroin to an undercover Drug Enforcement Administration agent.
Officials say he planned to give the money to the Taliban.
Prosecutors also say three others were busted for selling heroin to undercover agents in Romania.
They then allegedly planned to use the money to buy $9.5 million in weapons for Hezbollah, including anti-aircraft missiles and assault rifles.
Officials say the arrests are part of a crackdown on what they say is a growing link between illegal drug trafficking and terrorism funding.
"Today's indictment relate to two different and dangerous narcotics networks, but their aspirations did not end with the sale of heroin. Both allegedly were also prepared to traffic in terror, not just drugs," said U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara. "One was ready and willing to aid the Taliban and the other took substantial steps to support Hezbollah."
The arrests are part of two undercover stings by the DEA.