The local drug and money laundering bust of Yassine Enterprises has taken an international turn, as authorities allege proceeds from the organization’s nightclubs, drugs, and money laundering operations went overseas to fund militant Lebanese group Hezbollah, an organization designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S.
KEYE reports on the arraignment of the Yassine Enterprises defendants this morning:
During bond hearings in federal court in Austin Tuesday, an Internal Revenue Service investigator said Hussein "Mike" Ali Yassine and Mohammed "Steve Austin" Ali Yassine sent money in $2,500 increments to their uncle, Mohammed Ishmael in Lebanon. Authorities say he is associated with Hezbollah, a militant group and political party in Lebanon.
The Austin American-Statesman reports neither of the Yassine brothers were granted bail.
As KUT News previously reported, Yassine Enterprises owns several Sixth Street and downtown nightclubs: Pure, Spill, Kiss & Fly, Treasure Island, Hyde, Fuel, Malaia and Roial, plus the Stack Burger Bar.
