964: Miles Johnson | The Secret World of International Crime

Drug Trafficking

Hezbollah's involvement in drug trafficking is a complex and multifaceted operation. Miles Johnson explains that the Syrian government manufactures amphetamines on an industrial scale, with connections to Hezbollah figures. This trade is so extensive that it surpasses the combined operations of all Mexican cartels 1. Jordan Harbinger shares a personal story about a Lebanese colleague involved in smuggling night vision goggles to Hezbollah, highlighting the group's efforts to circumvent sanctions 2.

Hezbollah can't just order those things to Lebanon themselves. They have to have third parties.

--- Jordan Harbinger

These activities illustrate the lengths to which Hezbollah goes to finance its operations and procure necessary equipment.

   

Russian Involvement

Russian entities are deeply involved in global crime, particularly in weapon trafficking and sanctions busting. Jordan Harbinger notes the difficulties sanctioned individuals face, such as becoming untouchable and expensive to deal with 3. Miles Johnson adds that post-Ukraine invasion, Russia has become the most sanctioned government, leading to increased efforts to procure Western-made components through illicit means 2.

Russia needs to get American-made microchips to put into precision-guided missiles.

--- Miles Johnson

These procurement networks are crucial for maintaining their military capabilities despite international restrictions.

   

Sanction Evasion

Sanctioned governments and criminal organizations employ various strategies to evade international sanctions. Jordan Harbinger discusses how these entities use complex networks to procure restricted items, often involving multiple layers of intermediaries 4. Miles Johnson shares an example of a Lebanese woman caught in a sting operation, highlighting the high stakes of procuring Boeing parts for sanctioned governments 5.

If we really want to get rich, Boeing parts are the thing that we'll make tons of cash from.

--- Miles Johnson

These operations reveal the intricate and high-risk nature of sanction evasion tactics.

   

Middle Eastern Crime

Middle Eastern entities play a significant role in international crime, driven by economic necessity and geopolitical factors. Miles Johnson describes how the Syrian government and Hezbollah finance their operations through large-scale drug manufacturing and money laundering 1. He also discusses the extreme measures individuals take to avoid capture, such as constantly changing routines and living in a state of perpetual paranoia 6.

You can't run your criminal operation anymore. You're extremely hot, so you can't talk to people. You can't move money around.

--- Miles Johnson

These insights underscore the lengths to which these organizations go to sustain their activities and avoid detection.