Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08BELMOPAN192
2008-04-04 21:28:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Belmopan
Cable title:  

(C) ZUBAIR KHAN -- RSO SOURCE ALLEGES

Tags:  ASEC PTER CVIS KCRM BH 
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VZCZCXYZ0013
RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHBE #0192 0952128
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 042128Z APR 08
FM AMEMBASSY BELMOPAN
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 1227
INFO RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO CITY 0172
C O N F I D E N T I A L BELMOPAN 000192 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/ITA, DS/ITA/WHA, DS/ATA/PE, DS/CR/CIL,
DS/DSS/OSAC, CA/FPP, WHA/CEN, INL HSTC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2018
TAGS: ASEC PTER CVIS KCRM BH
SUBJECT: (C) ZUBAIR KHAN -- RSO SOURCE ALLEGES
PAKISTANI-BELIZEAN DRUG TRAFFICKING, MONEY LAUNDERING,
POSSIBLE TERRORIST TIES

Classified By: Ambassador Robert J. Dieter for reason 1.5(d)

C O N F I D E N T I A L BELMOPAN 000192

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

FOR DS/IP/WHA, DS/IP/ITA, DS/ITA/WHA, DS/ATA/PE, DS/CR/CIL,
DS/DSS/OSAC, CA/FPP, WHA/CEN, INL HSTC

E.O. 12958: DECL: 04/04/2018
TAGS: ASEC PTER CVIS KCRM BH
SUBJECT: (C) ZUBAIR KHAN -- RSO SOURCE ALLEGES
PAKISTANI-BELIZEAN DRUG TRAFFICKING, MONEY LAUNDERING,
POSSIBLE TERRORIST TIES

Classified By: Ambassador Robert J. Dieter for reason 1.5(d)


1. (C) SUMMARY: An RSO source alleges Pakistani-Belizean
national, Zubair Khan, is involved with drug trafficking,
money laundering, and has possible ties to Lebanese Hezbollah
and Pakistan al-Qaeda associations. END SUMMARY.


2. (C) Information provided by source is unconfirmed. RSO
source has provided fairly detailed information on
Pakistani-Belizean national Zubair Khan. Khan is a Corozal
Free Zone businessman and owns Bellagio Plaza pharmacy. The
Corozal Free Zone is located in northern Belize, adjacent to
the Mexican border. Source alleges Khan's drug trafficking
and money laundering operations may involve
Lebanese-Belizeans with possible connections to Hezbollah and
Pakistani al-Qaeda associations.


3. (C) Khan allegedly employs people to carry small
quantities of drugs packed as medical supplies from his
Belize pharmacy through Belize both to Mexico and to the U.S.
border. He uses Belizean and Mexican taxi drivers and
Autobuses de Oriente (ADO) bus operators to transport drugs,
using Chetumal, Mexico bus terminal workers and vendors as
couriers. Source states Khan also started a hair salon
"Ladies Estatica Salon" in Tijuana, Mexico, to facilitate
drug shipments. Khan's unnamed girlfriend operates the
business and is responsible for drug distribution in the
area. Khan is reported to stay at the Seville Hotel when
visiting Tijuana under an assumed name, "Dr. Vegas." Source
alleges hotel staff involvement with Khan's drug trafficking.


4. (C) Khan also owns a home in Chetumal, Quintana Roo,
Mexico, which he uses as a staging point for drug shipments
and money laundering operations. Khan allegedly expanded his
drug operations to other northern Mexico areas. Khan's drug
trafficking and money laundering supposedly involves several
other Belizean nationals and a Lebanese-Belizean. Source
identified the Belizeans as Stephen and Marlon Skeen, Belize
City residents. Marlon Skeen allegedly is a customs broker
who works closely with the Lebanese-Belizean, identified only
as "Ziah" or "Diah." The Lebanese-Belizean's involvement
includes money laundering, drug trafficking, and firearms
smuggling.


5. (C) Source asserts that both "Ziah" and Zubair Khan are
assisting international terrorist organization Hezbollah,
either indirectly or directly. Source's information is
unconfirmed and cannot be further substantiated.


6. (C) COMMENTS:
a. Post believes source identified Pakistani-Belizean Zubair
Khan is the same individual as Zubair Ahmed Khan (DPOB 16
June 1963, Pakistan) who possesses a valid U.S. visa issued
24 January 2006 after security advisory opinion clearance
received 19 October 2005.

b. Lebanese-Belizeans have long been tied to stolen vehicles
being shipped to Lebanon, and suspected ties to Hezbollah.
Other sources have provided evidence of human smuggling. In
light of this background, source's allegations are all the
more credible.


7. (U) POC for this cable is RSO Patrick Harms at
011-501-822-4011, ext. 4007, or Vice Consul Ed Soltow at
011-501-822-4011, ext. 4221.
DIETER