US embassy cable - 04MONTREAL419

S E C R E T MONTREAL 000419 
 
SIPDIS 
 
E.O. 12958: DECL: 03/08/2014 
TAGS: PTER, KVPR, PINR, Terrorism, Narcotics 
SUBJECT: HEZBOLLAH IN MONTREAL 
 
Classified By: Bernadette Allen, Principal Officer; Reasons 1.5 B and D 
 
 
1.  (S/NF)  Summary:  A Local Canadian Law Enforcement Source 
has informed Post of Terrorist Organizations using Organized 
Crime networks in Montreal to funnel drugs and money with the 
profits going to support terrorism.  There are several 
on-going investigations of these networks and Post asks that 
the information be protected accordingly. 
 
2.  (S/NF)  According to the reliable source cocaine is 
coming from Haiti to Montreal.  The drug couriers are also 
involved with shipping stolen cars out of the US.  Once in 
Montreal members of Hezbollah and other terrorist 
organizations are using established organized crime networks 
to distribute the drugs in Canada.  The money is then 
couriered back to the middle-east.  Both groups are also 
linked to credit card fraud and mortgages schemes. 
 
3.  (S/NF)  The money couriers use several methods to carry 
the money back to the middle-east.  They divide the money 
among several family members to avoid Canadian Customs 
restrictions (a practice known as "smurfing").  Under 
Canadian law only individuals carrying more than CAN$10,000 
need to declare the money (as opposed to family units).  Each 
member of the group or family would carry less than 
CAN$10,000; therefore, they did not have to declare the 
money.  In certain cases children were carrying CAN$9,000  in 
cash. 
 
4.  (S/NF)  Law enforcement believes that some members of 
Hezbollah are wearing a large gold medallion with a sword and 
Arabic writing to be recognized as a member of Hezbollah. 
The medallion can also be worn in a smaller size by other 
Muslims as a type of "St Christopher" medallion; however, the 
medallions worn by members of Hezbollah are 3"-4" in size. 
 
ALLEN