A Washington, D.C. man who attempted to launder money to al Qaeda was one of 45 individuals busted in an International investigation, Maryland authorities said Thursday.
Since February 2004, Saifullah Ranjha believed he was helping send an undisclosed amount of money to the foreign terrorist organization that carried out the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, authorities said.
A federal grand jury in Baltimore also indicted 38 individuals and one business on charges arising from money laundering, conspiracy to bribe a public official, among other charges, Maryland U.S. Attorney Rod Rosenstein said.
The four indictments seek more than $5 million in criminal forfeitures in two convenience stores in Snow Hill.
Five additional defendants have been arrested and charged with bribery, and one other with money laundering.
“When there are businesses engaged in this type of conduct, we really are vulnerable,” Rosenstein said.
He said the schemes began after undercover agents and cooperating witnesses approached people they suspected were involved in money laundering and provided them with the opportunity to commit the crimes.
“This is actually our money,” Rosenstein said.
The investigation brought charges against defendants in the United States, Spain, Canada and Belgium.
Three of the indictments involve money-laundering schemes to cover up criminal activity, such as drug dealing, and a fourth alleges a scheme to bribe public officials with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Maryland Comptroller?s Office.
“These were businesses that take money here in the U.S. and arrange to return it overseas,” Rosenstein said.
Two Baltimore-area men ? one from Glen Burnie and another from Laurel ? were indicted in the scheme that involved the investigation of Maryland State Police, Howard police and Baltimore police along with the federal agencies.
