More evidence that terrorists are as much gangsters as they are ideological fanatics: drug running is now a focus for raising the money they need to fund their dirty war.
Osama bin Laden's al Qaeda network has become deeply involved in international drug trafficking, using the money to buy arms and, possibly, radioactive material for use in a so-called "dirty" nuclear bomb, senior U.S. officials say.Posted by Alan at December 29, 2003 07:21 AMThe seizure earlier this month of boats carrying heroin and hashish, and operated by al Qaeda-linked persons, has brought to light an al Qaeda drug operation that has grown tremendously since the September 11 attacks, the sources say.
"Bin Laden does not mind trafficking in drugs, even though it's against the teaching of Islam, because it's being used to kill Westerners," said a defense official who asked not to be named. "He has allies and associates who are not members per se, but who move products for him and take drugs and buy arms and give the arms to al Qaeda."
"If you're going to get terrorism under control, we've got to stop their livelihood, which is money," said the defense official. "Without money, they die."
via the Washington Times