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http://www.miamiherald.com/2008/07/03/1560930/grocery-store-terrorism-bust-miramar-fl.html
Money Laundering and Terrorism Bust at Miramar Convenience Store
By MIAMI HERALD STAFF REPORT
dadenews@MiamiHerald.com
MIRAMAR CONVENIENCE STORE OWNER ABUSALEH CHOWDHURY RE-ARRESTED AND CHARGED WITH 7 FELONIES WHILE AWAITING TRIAL FOR MONEY LAUNDERING AND POSSIBLE TERRORISM CHARGES.
Abu Chowdhury, owner of convenience store Countyline Shop & Save inc., in Miramar, FL, was first arrested along with his partner Reda Fawaz in 2004. Both men were charged with dealing in stolen property with the possible support of terrorism at Countyline Shop & Save food store in Miramar, FL. Broward County Sheriff's chief Deputy said Chowdhury made $4, 000 to $5, 000 per week in profit from the stolen baby food scam.
The Abu Chowdhury, Reda Fawaz, and Wasim Al-Khalil Money Laundering investigation by the US Justice Dept. started in April 2005, with a Federal Grand Jury, the case was sealed until October 2008, all the while that Fawaz was on felony probation.
Chowdhury sent $45, 000 to Pakistan in $500 individual money orders over a 20-day period in Oct 2005. Chowdhury was purchasing the money orders at his own convenience store at 4076 SW 69th Avenue in Miramar FL.
According to local and federal authorities, Countyline Shop and Save, was vital to Mr. Chowdhury’s money-laundering scheme as he purchased over $100, 000 in money orders from his own convenience store and sent the money orders to undisclosed locations in Pakistan as well as Nepal and Bangladesh.
No listing as to where in the Far East the $45, 000 was sent, no city listing in Federal complaint, but evidence seized from search warrants at the residence of Mr. Chowdhury at 16897 SW 51st ST in Miramar FL. indicate some of the money might have made its way to Harkat-ul-Mujahideen, a militant group operating mainly in Kashmir, which has been known in the past to have ties to Al-Qaida. Kashmir is the disputed border area between India and Pakistan. The US State Dept. designated Harkat al Mujahideen as a terrorist group in ’97. The Chowdhury Federal Indictment had been sealed since April 2005 and not opened until October 2008, Federal Marshals took Chowdhury into custody on Nov. 1st 2006.
Al-Khalil was initially arrested on the same day as Chowdhury, Nov. 1st 2008, and was awaiting trial on Federal charges. US Federal Marshals rearrested Al-Khalil on Nov. 20th 2008.
Fawaz was initially arrested on June 6th 2008 by US Marshals, then re-arrested on July 7th 2008 and then again on August 11th 2008.
Initial arrest of Chowdhury took place on June 6th 2008, and by June 7th 2008 he was already in custody with no trial. On June 12th 2008, while in custody Chowdhury was re-arrested. He was released on bail June 24th 2008, and awaited trial for the money laundering-narcotics case. Although Chowdhury might possibly face terrorism charges, authorities still maintain the evidence found at his residence linking him to the Al Qaeda affiliated Kashmiri militant group was highly circumstantial.
Fawaz had been on felony probation since Jan 2005 for the sale of the stolen baby formula at Countyline Shop & Save's food.
Fawaz's RICO charge on organized crime, appeared to be no deterrent to Chowdhury for the follow up Sealed Secret Federal Indictment that began in April of 2005 through Sept. of 2008 and included charges of narcotic sales, stolen property and money laundering over $120, 000 sent to Pakistan. Both men used Countyline Shop & Save in order to purchase the money orders.
In Miramar FL the Secret Sealed Federal Indictment on Fawaz and Chowdhury charging them with money laundering to the Far East from the sale of narcotics in South FL, was not opened until October of 2007, the case which began in April of 2005. Click on image to enlarge.
While Chowdhury was in the Broward detention center, on 6/12/2008, he was re-charged by the Broward County Sheriff's Department with INTERSTATE AGREEMENT ON DETAINERS, GRAND THEFT 3rd DEGREE, OBTAINING PROPERTY FOR WC, see booking photo and 7 felony charges click here.
The State of Florida charged Chowdhury on 7 Felony counts.
The Miami Herald
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Update: 01/26/2009 According to Federal officials, due to insufficient evidence against Mr. Chowdhury and the lack of cooperation on behalf of foreign authorities, Chowdhury was acquitted and cleared of all charges. As of today no further charges were pressed against Mr. Chowdhury and Countyline Shop & Save still remains open at:
4076 SW 69th Avenue
Miramar, FL 33023
954-554-9007
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