Hezbollah Financier Traffics Diamonds and Art in Global Illicit Network

UK government sanctions diamond and art dealer Nazem Ahmad for allegedly funding Lebanon's militant Hezbollah group
US prosecutors charged Ahmad with evading US sanctions by exporting diamonds and artwork worth hundreds of millions of dollars
The US Treasury Department imposed sanctions on 52 people and entities in Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, and elsewhere over the payment and shipment of cash, diamonds, precious gems, art, and luxury goods for the benefit of Nazem Ahmad
Ahmad worked with family members and associates to continue dealing in diamonds and artwork while concealing his involvement
Entities tied to Ahmad engaged in more than $440 million in financial transactions in violation of sanctions, including importing $207 million worth of goods to the United States and exporting $234 million worth of mostly diamonds and artwork