US deports Pakistani man who allegedly laundered over $2.2m to al Qaeda

Saifullah Anjum Ranjha, 53, a green card holder since 1997, was handed over to Pakistani authorities in Islamabad

The United States immigration authorities deported a Pakistani national last month for allegedly laundering over $2.2 million to al Qaeda.

According to a statement issued by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE), Saifullah Anjum Ranjha, 53, was handed over to Pakistani immigration authorities in Islamabad.

“Aliens living in the United States, who are engaged in or suspected of supporting terrorism, are a direct threat to our country’s national security," said ICE Director Sarah R Saldaña. "As such, they are our highest priority for removal,” she added.

"In 2008, the accused pleaded guilty to laundering more than $2.2 million, which is believed to be the proceeds of illegal activities conducted by al Qaeda, including drug trafficking and weapons smuggling," ICE confirmed in the statement.

The investigation consequently led to 42 arrests between 2008 and 2011.

Ranjha had been residing in the US on a green card since 1997 and owned homes in the District and Maryland. The accused used his 'money remitter business', Hamza Inc, to illegally transfer funds abroad through an informal system referred to as 'hawala.' 

He was deported from San Antonio International Airport in Texas under supervision of deportation officers and was then handed over to immigration authorities at Islamabad's Benazir Bhutto International Airport.