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17 arrested on smuggling, money laundering charges in North Carolina

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CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (CNN) -- Authorities arrested at least 17 people Friday in raids around Charlotte, North Carolina, and as far away as Detroit after they were indicted on federal charges of smuggling cigarettes, money laundering and immigration fraud, the U.S. attorney's office said.

"All we know is it was some sort of raid involving people of a certain ethnic group who may or may not have ties to dangerous people overseas," said Tad Boggs, spokesman for North Carolina Gov. Jim Hunt. He said the governor was notified two days ago of the impending raids.

Rep. Sue Myrick, a Republican congresswoman who represents the Charlotte area, said the FBI told her 17 of the suspects are illegal aliens from Lebanon and one was a naturalized U.S. citizen. She said investigators were "looking for fund-raising activity for foreign terrorist groups."

One of those arrested, Bassam Hammoud, was picked up in Detroit on a cigarette smuggling charge.

Myrick said the charges also included tobacco tax fraud and conspiracy.

"It is bizarre, but there is no physical threat to Charlotte or the surrounding area," Myrick said.

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