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The trial of the Hammoud brothers

CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (CNN) -- The U.S. government's case against the Hammoud brothers, Mohamad, 28, and Chawki, 37, began on July 20, 2000, when federal authorities in Charlotte, North Carolina, charged 18 people, most from Lebanon, in an investigation into cigarette smuggling, money laundering and immigration violations.

All but one of the 18 were arrested -- 16 in Charlotte and one in Detroit, Michigan.

Both of the Hammoud brothers face charges of cigarette smuggling, money laundering and racketeering.

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Additionally, Mohamad Hammoud is charged with federal immigration fraud and providing material support to a terrorist group, the Lebanon-based Hezbollah.

The trial will be the first courtroom test of a 1996 U.S. law prohibiting support of any kind -- including financial -- for organizations labeled by the United States as terrorist.

Most of the defendants in the case have entered pleas and will testify against the Hammouds.

In court papers, the group was said to have "put aside for Hezbollah several thousand dollars in cash representing the proceeds from trafficking in contraband cigarettes" plus donations from fund-raising activities among Hezbollah members or supporters in the Charlotte area.

Mohamad Hammoud, identified as the group's leader, has been described in an affidavit as "well-connected to Hezbollah leaders in Lebanon," where he received military training and became "very comfortable around weapons." According to the affidavit, he is "dangerous because he would likely assist in carrying out any action against United States interests if he were required to do so by Hezbollah."

The U.S. government alleges the Hammouds are leaders of a Charlotte-based cell for Hezbollah. Not only are the Hammouds accused of helping buy equipment such as night vision goggles for Hezbollah military commanders, they are accused of funneling thousands of dollars to Hezbollah.

Defense attorneys, however, say the Hammouds were businessmen, who sympathized with a legitimate political and social organization that the U.S. government has illegally outlawed.