FBI raids net illegal aliens with terror link

http://www.onenewsnow.com/2007/09/fbi_r ... iens_w.php
Pete Chagnon
OneNewsNow.com
September 27, 2007

FBI raids have netted nine illegal Pakistani aliens and two naturalized U.S. citizens accused of money laundering -- one of whom is accused of financing terrorists.

The 11 men were arrested last Thursday in morning raids on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Local law enforcement also participated in the FBI raids. According to the Daily Times (Salisbury, MD), Princess Anne convenience store owner, Muhammad Ashraf, was arrested along with four other people from Wicomico County, and the rest were netted in raids in Worcester County.

The Daily Times also reports that some of the men had paid up to $500,000 in bribes to immigration officials in order to obtain illegal green cards for them and some of their family members. Court documents reported that one cooperating witness posed as a terrorist wanting to send money to al-Qaida and had asked for help in transferring money overseas.

Other charges included the failure to pay back taxes that amounted to more than $1.8 million collectively. Those out of the 11 arrested who owned stores will stand to lose property due to the unpaid taxes.

The Times quoted Francis L. Turner, special agent in-charge for the Internal Revenue Service's criminal investigation division as saying, "Money laundering is a global threat, fuel for criminals to conduct their criminal affairs, and is used to manipulate and erode our financial systems."

Since Thursday's raids, six more suspects have been taken into custody.