06:28 PM EDT on Thursday, July 20, 2006

By JOHN ROMERO / 6NEWS
E-mail John: JRomero@WCNC.com

6NEWS

The Charlotte division of the FBI is actively investigating Hezbollah cells in the Carolinas.

In 2002 a trial in Charlotte’s federal court revealed a cell of Hezbollah terrorists operating in Charlotte. It was shocking then and surprising now that terrorism experts say Hezbollah is still in the Queen City.

Michael Resnick, in charge of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force for North Carolina, confirms they are currently investigating Hezbollah cells in North Carolina.

“Clearly they have a violent capability,” he said. “They are a military organization, as evidence by what is going on in Lebanon.”

And as evidenced by what happened in Charlotte in 2002 that Hezbollah has roots in the Carolinas. Mohammed Hamoud and his brother were convicted in Charlotte of smuggling cigarettes and funneling the money to Hezbollah. Prosecutors said they were the head of a secret Hezbollah cell.

Ken Bell prosecuted the case and said, “This was the real deal here.  There weren't just wanna bees.  We had a real terrorist cell here in Charlotte.”

“If you compare the professionalism, organization, infrastructure between Hezbollah and al Qaeda, Hezbollah is the more dangerous terrorist organization.”

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Bell got thirteen guilty pleas, three convictions, and one deportation in the cigarette case. Still the FBI believes Hezbollah has not left Charlotte.

“I would describe that cell as being significantly dismantled by prosecution and deportation,” Resnick said. “But that doesn't mean that the presence of Hezbollah in Charlotte or North Carolina is greatly diminished.”

Hezbollah operatives in Charlotte are mainly raising money the FBI says, at least for now.

“Terrorist groups tend to change their techniques,” Resnick said.

“Hezbollah unfortunately is positioned in the united states, that if they ever wanted to go violent, they're here, and it would be something for us to worry about,” according to Bell.