U.S. Sanctions Vancouver Company Allegedly Linked to Hezbollah Financing Network
VANCOUVER, British Columbia – A Vancouver-based company, Seven Seas for International Trading and Logistics, has been sanctioned by the U.S. government for its alleged connection to a $100 million network accused of financing Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group. The sanctions, announced Friday, target 16 individuals and entities across the Middle East and Canada.
The U.S. Treasury Department alleges that Raoof Fadel, co-founder and CEO of Seven Seas, based in Qatar, is involved with the “Hezbollah finance team.” According to corporate records, the B.C. company was registered in 2022 and remains active. Directors listed include Fadel, as well as Mohamad Wehbe and Ahmed Wehbe, all residents of Qatar. Mohamad Wehbe is also a Lebanese citizen, according to the U.S. Treasury.
The sanctions center around Alaa Hamieh, identified by the U.S. as a key Hezbollah financier who allegedly oversees a network of companies used to launder and raise funds for the organization. This network, operating in Lebanon, Syria, Poland, Slovenia, Qatar, and Canada, is accused of diverting over $100 million since 2020.
“This network represents a critical source of funding for Hezbollah, which continues to embrace violence despite calls to disarm,” the U.S. Treasury stated.
Seven Seas is described as the Canadian branch of similarly named Lebanese companies associated with Hamieh. The U.S. Treasury provided Hamieh’s Canadian passport number in its announcement.
Canada’s national security agencies have long been aware of international Hezbollah fundraising activities within the country. A 2022 alert from the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) highlighted Hezbollah as the international terrorist group most frequently detected moving money across borders, after the Islamic State. FINTRAC reported that much of this money was destined for Lebanon, often laundered through auto sales.
While a Lebanese auto trader in Ontario, Usama Ali, was previously reported as allegedly involved in Hamas financing, enforcement action related to Hezbollah remains rare in Canada.
The Canadian government has not yet commented on the U.S. sanctions. The British Columbia government stated it is reaching out to federal authorities, who are responsible for national security, before taking any action.
Nico Slobinsky of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs called for stronger enforcement measures and increased scrutiny of individuals linked to Iran and Hezbollah operating in Canada. “Governments must do more to ensure that Canada is not used as a safe haven for Iran’s Islamic regime and its proxies that threaten global security and target civilians,” Slobinsky said.
Hezbollah, designated a terrorist organization in Canada, is described as a “radical Shia group” and is currently involved in the ongoing conflict initiated by the U.S. and Israel on February 28.