Jump to full article: AP, 2003-09-18
Author: Associated Press
Intro: DETROIT - A man who the government says funneled contraband profits from cigarette trafficking to the Islamic-militant group Hezbollah pleaded guilty Thursday to providing material support to a foreign terrorist organization.
Hassan M. Makki, 41, of Dearborn, also pleaded guilty to a racketeering conspiracy charge, according to a plea agreement filed in U.S. District Court. . .
Makki acknowledged providing more than $2,000 to Hezbollah after it had been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. State Department. . . .
Between 1997 and 1999, Makki acknowledged being involved in trafficking between $36,000 and $72,000 worth of cigarettes per month. The plan involved buying low-tax cigarettes in North Carolina, then reselling them at a profit in Michigan, where tobacco taxes are higher.
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Quotes from this article:
The money was intended to support Hezbollah's orphans and martyrs program to benefit the families of those killed in Hezbollah operations or by Hezbollah's enemies.
U.S. attorney's office in Detroit, on Hassan M. Makki's North Carolina-to-Michigan cigarette trafficking operation.
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