And convenience stores in Louisianna and New York. I guess we don't want the Southland Corporation managing our ports, either.
They seized evidence by the box full. The FBI on Wednesday searched at least a half dozen convenience stores in North Louisiana...All with ties to the middle east. The probe led agents to stores in Tallulah, Lake Providence, Monroe and Ruston. Law enforcement sources confirm that the stores are suspected of involvement in money laundering or counterfeiting.
The Department of Homeland Security has sent agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or Ice, to work the case. At each station, agents seized boxes of evidence and retrieved at least one weapon. Police sources say at least some of the gas station operators are from Yemen. An Arab country located just south of Saudi Arabia. ULM history professor John Sutherlin believes the arab heritage of the convenience store owners could make them a convenient target for terror suspects.
"Anytime Arab or Muslim people are involved people immediately think it must be terror related or have some connection to 9-11," Sutherlin says.
The investigation reaches beyond Louisiana. TV8 news has confirmed the FBI and department of homeland security Wednesday also raided stores in Buffalo, New York.
This report states the government has said nothing of a terror link as of now.
FBI spokeswoman Shelia Thorne refused to provide specifics about the investigation.
In the past, federal investigation of these types of business have dealt with people selling counterfeit goods, money laundering and sending money overseas.
Authorities refused comment when asked if the FBI was investigating any suspected ties to terrorism.
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