A trio of men originally arrested by federal counter-terrorism investigators on suspicion of narcotics trafficking and selling counterfeit goods in the Fashion District of Downtown recently pleaded guilty to charges of financial fraud.
Moussa Matar entered his plea on June 4, along with his son, Mohamad Matar, and his twin brother, Ali Matar. They each pleaded guilty to one count of structuring cash transactions to evade federal reporting requirements, prosecutors said.
Each of the men faces a maximum penalty of five years in federal prison upon sentencing, according to Assistant U.S. Attorney Janet C. Hudson.
Authorities arrested the men in November 2007 as part of an investigation into drug trafficking and the sales of counterfeit merchandise through operations centered in the Fashion District. The case also involved allegations of the smuggling of money from the U.S to Lebanon.
Investigators arrested 11 other suspects along with the Matars in a case that grew from a broad look by federal agents into dealings at garment retail shops in the city, including the crowded commercial landscape of Downtown. An affidavit filed by a member of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) counter-terrorism squad in Los Angeles stated that the investigation centered on "the use of clothing stores in the Los Angeles area to facilitate and disguise illegal activities, including drug trafficking, sale of counterfeit clothing, bulk cash smuggling, money laundering, and other crimes."
The operation led to the seizure of approximately 30 kilograms of cocaine, hundreds of thousands of dollars worth counterfeit clothing, and more than $100,000 in cash, according to authorities.
It remained unclear at presstime whether any or all of the other suspects originally arrested in the case remain in federal custody or continue to face charges. The U.S. Attorney's office had not offered any further details on those cases.
Photo & collage by LA Beez
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