Washington: The US Justice Department announced Thursday creation of a special task force to investigate what it called “narcoterrorism” by the powerful Lebanese movement Hezbollah.
The unit will comprise specialists on money-laundering, drug trafficking, terrorism and organized crime, targeting Iran ally Hezbollah’s sprawling network, which reaches across Africa and into Central and South America, the department said.
“The Justice Department will leave no stone unturned in order to eliminate threats to our citizens from terrorist organisations and to stem the tide of the devastating drug crisis,” said Attorney General Jeff Sessions.
“The team will initiate prosecutions that will restrict the flow of money to foreign terrorist organizations as well as disrupt violent international drug trafficking operations.”
In October the United States slapped rewards on two commanders and urging allies to blacklist the Lebanese armed group.
Hezbollah has been implicated in several international attacks — but is also represented in the Lebanese government.
Several Arab states have accused the Iran-backed group of hijacking the Lebanese government and doing Iran’s bidding.
