U.S. sanctions Crown Bus, 15 others for financing al-Shabaab

The United States has imposed sanctions on two Kenya-based individuals among 16 entities and individuals linked to a multinational business network that raises and launders funds for the al-Shabaab terrorist group.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) on Monday identified Faysal Yusuf Dini as an al-Shabaab financial facilitator who leverages Haleel Group and some of its leadership to transfer funds on behalf of the al-Qaida-affiliated terror group.

OFAC said Dini works closely with Mohamed Jumale Ali Awale, also based in Kenya, to plan investment projects and money laundering activities.

“This includes managing al-Shabaab funds laundered through investment projects and companies, including through Kenya-based Crown Bus Services,” the federal government agency said in a statement.

It added that Crown Bus Services has been used to support al-Shabaab’s logistical operations.

Dubai-based Haleel Commodities L.L.C., also known as Haleel Group, is also implicated as a key financier of the terror group.

The U.S. says the company relies on the leaders of Haleel Group, as well as its branches and subsidiaries in Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, and Cyprus to generate and launder funds.

Haleel Group’s subsidiaries in Cyprus include Haleel Finance Ltd, Haleel Holdings, and Haleel Ltd. The group also has branches in Kenya (Haleel Commodities Limited) and Uganda (Haleel Commodities Ltd) and operates as Haleel Electronics in Somalia.

Others on the list include UAE-based Qemat Al Najah General Trading; Hassan Abdirahman Mahamed, a Finland-based Somali citizen; Farhan Hussein Hayder, who directs and manages Haleel Group’s branches in Kenya, Uganda, Cyprus, and the UAE; and Abdulkadir Omar Abdullahi, who is associated with Haleel Group’s Uganda branch as its director, along with Omar Sheikh Ali Hilowle and Hayder.

“As a result of today’s action, all property and interests in property of the individuals and entities named above, and of any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 per cent or more by them, individually, or with other blocked persons, that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC,” the statement added.