Cigarette smuggling and terrorism financing

The present chapter uses the script method developed by Cornish (1994) and applies situational crime prevention (SCP) techniques to a complex scheme of cigarette smuggling committed by Hezbollah supporters in the United States (U.S.). We build upon von Lampe's (2010) study that applied SCP to cigarette smuggling by “routine” offenders (i.e., non-extremists) in Germany during the 1990s. Our study makes important contributions to the literature. First, few studies have applied the script method and SCP strategies to profit-driven crime, such as cigarette smuggling, committed by political extremists. In fact, we have uncovered no published research that has used the script approach to study Hezbollah or similar extremists ¹ and financial terrorism. ² Some studies have used the script approach to examine traditional terrorism, ideologically motivated violent acts (Clarke and Newman, 2006; Freilich and Newman, 2009) or financial terrorism committed by far-right extremists (Belli and Freilich, 2009). Clarke and Newman (2006) examined suicide bombing in Israel and used the script method to identify the resources and tools that were needed for successful attacks. Using this knowledge, they were able to devise possible intervention strategies. Additionally, Freilich and Chermak (2009) applied the script method to deadly encounters between the police and American far rightists, uncovering possible intervention points that could be used to prevent these events from turning deadly.