Alwaght-According to Newsweek, European cells of ISIS and other terrorist groups are using their ties to the illicit drug trade to finance their operations in Iraq and Syria, Spanish intelligence told daily newspaper ABC.
According to Spanish intelligence sources, terrorists in Iraq rely on knowledge of drug smuggling routes to export arms, contraband, and new recruits from the EU to Iraq and Syria, while a recent crackdown on legal fundraising for terrorist organizations has led to an increased trade of illegal arms and drugs such as “cocaine, heroin, and hashish”.
Speaking to Newsweek, Haras Rafiq of the anti-radicalization think-tank the Quilliam Foundation says illicit trade “is in ISIS terrorists' heritage”.
“When you look at Al-Qaeda, which ISIS terrorist group took over from in Iraq, they used to smuggle heroin and diamonds,” Rafiq says.
“ISIS terrorists have seized many assets since the summer; however, they definitely made heavy use of illicit trade tactics before, and it is probably quite difficult to stop,” he added.
According to reports from Spain’s recently established government intelligence and counter-terrorism unit, 20% percent of those detained in Spain under suspicion of working with ISIS terrorist group and other terrorists groups have previously served prison sentences for offences such as drug trafficking or document counterfeiting.
“Smuggling drugs, arms, even alcohol is considered forbidden in Islam so the way ISIS terrorists' excuse is that they see they are fighting a greater war,” Rafiq says.
“In times of war, they believe more is permitted to achieve their goals.”
Most of the cocaine destined for Europe, including Britain, has crossed the Atlantic by ship and entered via Spain, according to Britain’s National Crime Agency.
Reports vary on the total amassed wealth at Islamic State’s disposal; however, it is widely reported the group has around $2 billion in assets including oil revenue and profit from trade on the black market.
