Pakistan-based money 'launderer' Altaf Khanani arrested in US

WASHINGTON (Web Desk) - The United States has slapped sanctions on a Pakistan-based group and its affiliate in Dubai, which have ties with outfits like the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, for laundering money for criminals and their political affiliates.

The US Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control yesterday designated the Altaf Khanani Money Laundering Organisation (Khanani MLO) pursuant to Executive Order 13581, which targets transnational criminal organisations (TCOs) and their supporters.



According to details, Khanani known for links with Lashkar-e-Taiba, Dawood Ibrahim, al-Qaeda and Jaish-e-Mohammed, the Khanani MLO launders illicit funds for organised crime groups, drug trafficking organisations, and designated terrorist groups throughout the world.

Additionally, the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating Dubai-based money services business Al Zarooni Exchange under Executive Order (E.O.) 13581 for being owned or controlled by, or acting for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, the Khanani MLO, and for materially assisting, sponsoring, or providing financial, material, or technological support for, or goods or services to or in support of, the Khanani MLO.

As a result of Friday’s action, any property in the United States, or in the possession or control of US persons, in which the Khanani MLO or Al Zarooni Exchange has an interest, are blocked, and US persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with them.

The Khanani MLO is a TCO composed of individuals and entities operating under the supervision of Pakistani national Altaf Khanani, whom the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested this September.

The Khanani MLO facilitates illicit money movement between Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other countries, and is responsible for laundering billions of dollars in organized crime proceeds annually.