Canada Is Investigating Money Laundering By Iran Networks: Al Arabiya

The Canadian government has set up an investigative team to probe a network said to be affiliated with Iran and the Lebanese Hezbollah that is involved in money laundering, gambling and narcotics smuggling through casinos in Vancouver.

The Al Arabiya news network reported that it gained access to some of the evidence collected by the investigative team since March and one official involved in the probe confirmed the accusations against the Islamic Republic and Hezbollah. The official who is a former police officer spoke of ties between the Iran-affiliated network and a Chinese network in the illegal activities.

He alleged that certain Chinese networks benefit from protection by Iranian networks.

The official told Al Arabiya that eavesdropping by investigators has revealed the involvement of a Hezbollah operative, who is also in touch with Iran.

Former Canadian minister of immigration Chris Alexander also said that this is a “complex and dangerous” investigation and confirmed that Canadian officials are trying to unearth the truth. He added that investigating the activities of Iran and its networks is a complex matter.

Canada has listed the Lebanese Hezbollah as a terrorist organization since 2002.