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Hezbollah Hunt, Economic Weapon, and The Gardener

Hezbollah Hunt, Economic Weapon, and The Gardener

Illicit Edge - Edition for May 16, 2026

May 16, 2026

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Greetings! It’s May 16, and we’re tracking top stories to take you through the weekend: Iraqi accused of multiple terror attacks in US and Europe arrested and charged, Cartel boss known as "The Gardener" hit with U.S. charges after being captured while hiding in ditch, This Economic Weapon Is Worth Congress's Attention, The Reign of ‘El Chapo’ Is Over but the Bodies Keep Piling Up, and much more…

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🎯 FEATURED STORY

Iraqi accused of multiple terror attacks in US and Europe arrested and charged. Mohammad Baqer Saad Dawood al-Saadi appeared in US federal court to face six terrorism-related charges. Guardian

Kataib Hezbollah: What to Know NYT

🔥 TOP STORIES

Cartel boss known as "The Gardener" hit with U.S. charges after being captured while hiding in ditch CBS News

This Economic Weapon Is Worth Congress's Attention WSJ

The Reign of ‘El Chapo’ Is Over but the Bodies Keep Piling Up WSJ

Justice Dept. Aims to Use Terrorism Laws to Target Mexican Officials NYT

First Tren de Aragua gang member extradited to US on historic terrorism charges appears before Houston judge Fox News

With Possible Raúl Castro Indictment, U.S. Eyes Venezuela Playbook NYT

China summit is Trump's best chance to choke off Iran's terror cash New York Post

Gautam Adani, nephew Sagar to pay $18m to settle civil fraud case in the US BBC

Moscow court backs central bank in $249 billion Euroclear damages claim Reuters

Judge overturns US sanctions on UN official who called for war crimes prosecutions over Gaza Politico

Ghanaian Nationals Indicted for Romance Fraud Scams Department of Justice

Trump weighing lifting sanctions on Chinese companies buying Iranian oil CNN

Fraud Division Announces Massive Crackdown for Second Straight Week — Over $1B in Nationwide Fraud Enforcement Actions Department of Justice

Hackers have breached tank readers at US gas stations; officials suspect Iran is responsible CNN

3 charged in massive fentanyl-trafficking operation based in Northeast Philly NBC

Federal Prosecutors Probe BlackRock Private-Credit Fund WSJ

IN THE NEWS

🚩 RUSSIA & CHINA

Boss of NYC’s ‘secret Chinese police station’ convicted of acting as illegal 'agent' New York Post

Singham-backed, pro-China group drops huge sum on Manhattan HQ as feds probe shadowy network Fox News

Russian ship that sank near Spain may have been carrying nuclear reactors to North Korea The Guardian

A spyware investigator exposed Russian government hackers trying to hijack Signal accounts TechCrunch

Encrypted texts reveal how Nvidia chips and U.S. tech are being smuggled to China and Russia Fortune

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🚀 SANCTIONS & TERROR

Cuba accepts $100 million U.S. aid offer as country says it has run out of oil Miami Herald

Philippines suspends Senate security chief after shootout, 'escape' of politician wanted by ICC Reuters

International Criminal Court-Related Sanctions OFAC

Failed asylum seeker who left fake dynamite outside MI5 headquarters jailed Sky News

Government to seek death in killing of 2 Israeli Embassy staffers AP

💸 CORRUPTION & FINANCIAL CRIME

Controversial Belgian 'Black Prince' loses luxury estates in Colombia Brussels Times

Irish gangster runs for former finance minister’s seat Financial Times

Scot among 12 most wanted fugitives with links to Spain BBC

Fed Ends Actions Against UBS, Credit Suisse for Archegos Issues Bloomberg

Colorado Regulators Privately Concede to “Rampant” Illegal Hemp Sales ProPublica

🔐 CRYPTO & CYBER

Clarity Act Gets Major Boost as Crypto Bill Gets Bipartisan Support CNBC

Trump curbs state oversight of crypto industry ICIJ

A hotel check-in system left a million passports and driver's licenses open for anyone to see TechCrunch

Victims of Iran attacks seek court order for turnover of $344 million in USDT frozen by Tether The Block

The US Is Using AI to Hunt Down Insider Trading on Polymarket Wired

From phishing to porn star impersonators: how scamming athletes became a billion-dollar industry The Guardian

ShinyHunters: Cyber Criminal Group Attacks Learning Management System FBI

🚚 TRAFFICKING

Former Mexican State Security Chief Is Detained in Arizona on Drug Charges WSJ

Iran Is Smuggling Millions Of Liters Of Fuel To Pakistan Every Day RFE/RL

More than a dozen charged after human trafficking ring bust in New Jersey ABC

‘Cuban Mafia’ boss caught in Mexico is expected to face charges in Miami Miami Herald