Thursday, April 9, 2009

FBI raids in Minn. aimed at Africa money transfers

The FBI raided three money-transfer businesses in the Minneapolis area yesterday. Minneapolis is home to the largest Somali community in the US. Since last year, at least 2 dozen Somali youths have gone back to Somali to wage jihad with al Qaida linked al Shabaab.

The FBI stated the raids are not connected to the missing youths but you can bet it has something to do with funding terrorism. AP

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Federal agents searched three money-transfer businesses in Minneapolis on Wednesday, carrying away boxes of documents and copying computer hard drives for details of transactions between the U.S. and several African nations.

Agents searched Mustaqbal Express, also known as North American Money Transfer Inc.; Quran Express; and Aaran Financial.[...]

A copy of a search warrant executed at Mustaqbal Express and obtained by The Associated Press said authorities were looking for documents, books, records, ledgers and other materials "relating to the transfer of money, currency or funds" to Somalia, Eritrea, Kenya, Sudan, Ethiopia, Djibouti and the United Arab Emirates. It also sought documents on ownership and management of the business and lists of clients. It covered materials from January 2007 to the present.

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