Inside ICE: Volume 2, Issue 7

ICE Nabs Man In $23 Million Syrian Money Scheme

WASHINGTON, D.C. — ICE agents arrested a man March 15 for illegally moving more than $23 million in funds to Syria and other nations.

Louay Habbal was arrested after a federal indictment charged him with operating Mena Exchange, an unlicensed money transmittal business located at his residence. ICE agents arrested Habbal without incident upon his arrival at Dulles International Airport near Washington, D.C., on a flight from Damascus, Syria.

“This case demonstrates the threat posed by unlicensed money transmittal businesses,” said Allan Doody, ICE Special Agent-in-Charge for Washington, D.C. “Any criminal or terrorist can come to these underground businesses and have their millions wired anywhere in the world in a matter of seconds with no questions asked.”

According to the indictment, Habbal received funds from customers nationwide and deposited these funds in bank accounts in Virginia and elsewhere. After taking a portion of these monies as a fee, Habbal then transferred the remaining funds to other entities for further transfer to individuals overseas that had been designated by his U.S. customers.

In total, Habbal moved more than $23 million to Syria and elsewhere around the world. ICE agents seized more than $100,000 from the company’s bank accounts and assets.

The 2001 USA PATRIOT Act requires money transmittal businesses be licensed by the federal government and/or applicable state governments. Since 2001, ICE has initiated more than 260 investigations resulting in about 120 arrests, 130 indictments and $23 million in seizures.

ICE Begins Community Shield With 103 MS-13 Gang Arrests

ICE, Wal-Mart Reach $11 Million Settlement

ICE Deports Aliens Who Abused Children

ICE Nabs Man In $23 Million Syrian Money Scheme

ICE Deports Man Who Tried to Murder New York Shop Owner

ICE Returns Money to Elderly Victim of Telemarketing Scam

Record-Setting Seven Ton Pot Seizure Found in Texas Trucks

Dino Bones

Receive the latest ICE newsletter twice a month right to your inbox. Simply enter your information below.

Inside ICE is an e-newsletter produced by the ICE Office of Public Affairs to inform the public about the mission, operations and activities of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Please send comments and contributions to Russ Bergeron, Editor.

425 I St NW
Washington, D.C. 20536
Attn: Office of Public Affairs
Russ Bergeron, Editor
Phone: 202-514-2648
Fax: 202-514-1776
Russ.Bergeron@dhs.gov