International Arms Dealer Brought to New York
The DEA brought Monzer al-Kassar to New York to face federal arms smuggling charges. Mr. al-Kassar is charged with helping several governments and revolutionary groups with weapons purchases over the past several decades. The Drug Enforcement Administration took the lead on this case even though this is normally under the jurisdiction of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tabacoo and Firearms (ATF). This would lead one to assume that the DEA was concerned with Mr. al-Kassar's possible shipment of weapons to Columbia to supply the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Columbia (FARC). The United States Attorney has alleged that these illegal weapons sales would be used to kill American forces in Colombia. This is the growing example of the extreme power of the United States government. To arrest an individual who has never set foot on U.S. soil and who is not a U.S. Citizen and has not pledged to destroy the United States. The government has decided that any activity that could possibly be used against the United States or its law enforcement agencies is subject to a federal indictment and extradition from anywhere. Yet, a U.S. citizen arrested in a foreign country is at the mercy of that country and our government will tell the family that we must obey the laws of that country.
Criminal defense lawyers must be willing to fight for clients charged with firearms violations. Many times legitimate gun dealers are indicted because of procedural violations of the federal firearms laws. Improper stamping, improper documentation and simple clerical errors are interpreted as substantive law violations and prosecuted to the fulliest extent. The Port of Charleston is one of the largest Ports on the East Coast. The increased security since 9-11 has increased the number of investigations and federal indictments related to the Port of Charleston. Miami is also a very large Port with which several cases related to weapons and drugs are brought. If you are being investigated for firearms violations you need a firearms attorney (i.e. an attorney who knows the law and about weapons). We represent individuals and companies charged with firearms violations, including exporting and importing of guns and weapons.
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