NY officials: Smuggling ring has terrorist links
Authorities say some suspects charged in a Virginia-to-New York illegal cigarette import have ties to top Hamas officials
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Hamas terrorists in Gaza pose on anniversary of prisoner exchange deal for Gilad Shalit. October 18, 2012 (photo credit: Wissam Nassar/Flash90)
NEW YORK (AP) — Authorities say some of the suspects charged in a Virginia-to-New York cigarette smuggling scheme have links to top officials of Hamas, the Islamist militant group that rules the Gaza Strip.
New York law enforcers outlined the alleged links Thursday while announcing that 16 people are charged in the smuggling case.
Investigators are still trying to determine where illicit proceeds ended up. Authorities say that in the past, similar schemes have helped fund terrorist groups. The US and Israel consider Hamas to be a terrorist organization.
Two of the smuggling defendants are being held without bond at a county jail in Maryland. Court records show they were arrested Wednesday.
Copyright 2013 The Associated Press
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