According to press reports, Hezbollah has found in Germany a "safe haven" to launder drug money, exploiting loopholes in the country's anti-terrorist financing laws.
Hezbollah, which is classified as a terrorist, received huge financial support during a massive drug-laundering operation between Europe and South America.
Hezbollah, with its militias deployed in Iraq, Syria and Yemen, is Iran's striking arm of the mullahs' regime to destabilize the region.
Last week, prosecutors in France began the trial of 15 members of the terrorist organization in Paris. German media reported that two of the defendants were living in the Rhine and Westphalia state of Germany.
In addition, two other suspects live near the city of Bremen, northern Germany, and the presence of so many members of Hezbollah in Germany has aroused concern and resentment at the authorities' laxity.
Members of the terrorist organization were accused of laundering Colombian drug funds in a complex operation with the help of members of the Lebanese community in Germany.
A member of the European Parliament for the German Green Party, Sven Geugold, told a local newspaper that Germany is an ideal country for those who want to launder money in an organized manner.
He explained that German law allows cash to be paid when buying property or other luxury items. He added that the authorities do not impose a minimum cash usage, which makes "dirty" money able to find a foothold in the European country.
The French judiciary is suspected of being an export trader known as Ali. G, a resident of the German city of Munster, is one of Hezbollah's most prominent operatives who oversaw the money-laundering operation.
The laundering was based on the proceeds of cocaine smuggling from Colombia, and the proceeds of this illicit activity were exploited to buy weapons for Hezbollah and to strengthen its position in Syria.
German media reported that the Lebanese network bought jewelry and watches worth up to 10 million euros, which was paid in cash at stores within Germany within one year.
The court has booked 250 million euros in cash in the case along with weapons and luxury cars, and the network is likely to have washed a million euros a week at the height of criminal activity.
