Feds Bust Muslim Terror Ring

Feds bust suspected Yemeni terror ring in N.C. Convenience stores, mosque raided in alleged al-Qaida finance scheme WND

Federal agents have raided several convenience stores and a mosque in tiny Henderson, N.C., while arresting at least two Muslim men in connection with the raid.

Authorities suspect the stores were operating a so-called hawala money-transfer network supporting terrorist activities in Yemen, including al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, WND has learned. AQAP's leaders include fugitive al-Qaida cleric Anwar al-Awlaki, who has been linked to 10 major terror plots in the past year alone.

Mohamed Mohamed Nagi, 33, and Abdullah Ahmed Almuwallad, 32, have been charged with food stamp fraud. Additionally, Almuwallad has been charged with transporting stolen cigarettes and possession of the illegal stimulant cathinone, more commonly known a khat. Khat is popular in many countries of the Arabian peninsula and the Horn of Africa, but in Yemen it's a full-blown national addiction.

FBI agents have had both men under surveillance for several months. Federal, state and local law enforcement agents on Thursday searched four stores in Henderson, located about 40 miles north of Raleigh, N.C., including the stores where Nagi and Almuwallad worked. Agents converged on the targets using a helicopter and unmarked cars.

At least two of the stores – Dabney Pit Stop and Brothers Food Mart – are owned by Abdo Ali Saleh, 39, a Yemeni national who immigrated to the U.S in 1997 on a student visa, federal authorities told WND.

Saleh also operates a mosque and madrassa behind another store he owns, Henderson Furniture Outlet Inc., which also has been under surveillance.

Authorities described the small mosque, which serves about three dozen Muslims, as a "place of interest" and Saleh as a "person of interest" in the investigation. Saleh has not been charged with a crime, but sources say charges may be pending.

State records show Saleh, who could not be reached for comment, also owns the Greystone Variety Mart and Raleigh Road Best Bet in Henderson.

Authorities say Saleh has at least two relatives in the area – Mohamed Saleh and Najeeb Saleh. He also is related to Saleh Saleh in Dearborn, Mich.

Federal records show Saleh has worked as a U.S. flag vessel operator.

Investigators suspect proceeds from cigarette smuggling and food stamp irregularities have been laundered through the Henderson stores to terror front groups in Yemen.

Well-organized Islamic and other cigarette smuggling networks generate between $200,000 and $300,000 per week in New York alone, found a 2008 House Homeland Security Committee staff report.

In May, Hazam Ali Ahmed of Knoxville, Tenn., pleaded guilty to 16 federal firearms, conspiracy, cigarette smuggling and money laundering charges. He bought 20,000 cartons of cigarettes from low-tax Tennessee and resold them in high-tax Michigan. Ahmed in turn sent the profits to the Middle East. An FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force wiretap caught Ahmed recruiting for al-Qaida and talking about blowing up a shopping mall.