At least six Arabs believed to have links to al Qaeda and carrying what some intelligence reports estimated was $23.5 million were seized by Syria last week, according to administration officials. It is believed to be the first time in the global war on terrorism that couriers have been apprehended with such a large amount of money, said the counterterrorism officials, some of whom monitor terrorist financing. A senior official who has read the intelligence reports said, “They got six or eight people with about $23.5 million.” U.S. officials are trying to trace the money. But Syria has not given U.S investigators access to those detained, a senior U.S. official said. In fact, Damascus may not have even officially notified Washington that it is holding the individuals, the senior official said. The official added that Syria will likely keep whatever money it confiscated. Full Story
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