Attorney General Jeff Sessions has ordered a review by the Department of Justice into the Obama administration’s handling of the drug and human trafficking operations in Hezbollah, according to Fox News.
The review comes days after an explosive report suggested the Obama administration turned a blind eye to operations in Hezbollah so as to preserve the Iran deal.
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The Justice Department said in a statement to Fox News that Sessions on Friday directed a review of prior Drug Enforcement Administration investigations “to evaluate allegations that certain matters were not properly prosecuted and to ensure all matters are appropriately handled.”
“While I am hopeful that there were no barriers constructed by the last administration to allowing DEA agents to fully bring all appropriate cases under Project Cassandra, this is a significant issue for the protection of Americans,” Sessions said in a written statement. “We will review these matters and give full support to investigations of violent drug trafficking organizations.”
The earth-shattering report detailed an operation called Project Cassandra, executed by the Drug Enforcement Administration, that targeted Hezbollah’s criminal operations.
The report said that when DEA agents affiliated with the project sought approval for significant investigations, they were often delayed or outright rejected by the Obama Justice and Treasury departments.
“Protecting our citizens from terrorist organizations and combatting the devastating drug crisis gripping our nation are two of the Justice Department’s top priorities,” Sessions said. “Operations designed to investigate and prosecute terrorist organizations that are also fueling that drug crisis must be paramount in this administration.”
DOJ officials confirmed on Friday that the review could lead to prosecutions of involved parties.
“The DEA has worked tirelessly on this front,” Sessions said. “I am committed to giving our hard working and dedicated DEA agents all the tools that they need to allow them to shut down these drug rings.”
Sessions added, “The Department of Justice is absolutely committed to investigating and prosecuting international drug trafficking organizations and with the assistance of our DEA and FBI agents we will leave no stone unturned as we work to making America safer.”
Since the initial report was released Sunday, Republicans have begun demanding answers. Former Obama administration officials, however, have vehemently denied the charges.
