GEORGE NAKHLE AJALTOUNI

Caution

George Nakhle Ajaltouni is wanted for his alleged participation in a conspiracy to smuggle and illegally ship large quantities of firearms hidden in compartments inside vehicles from the United States to Lebanon from May of 2011 to September of 2014. Over the course of multiple years, Ajaltouni purchased pistols and rifles in cash at various gun shows and from private individuals in Ohio. After accumulating a large quantity of firearms, Ajaltouni would then purchase a used vehicle. Ajaltouni would take the vehicle apart and allegedly hide firearms inside the doors and body panels of the vehicle. The vehicles were then shipped from the United States to Beirut, Lebanon. Once the vehicle arrived in Lebanon, the firearms were removed from the vehicle and the vehicle was sold for profit. On March 29, 2016, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Ajaltouni in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Cleveland, Ohio, after he was charged with Conspiracy to Commit Smuggling Goods from the United States and Illegal Shipment of Firearms; Smuggling Goods from the United States; Unlawful Delivery of Firearms to Common Carrier; Violation of Control of Arms Exports and Imports; and Unlicensed Dealing in Firearms.

In a separate matter, a federal arrest warrant was issued for Ajaltouni on November 9, 2018, in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Cleveland, Ohio, after he was charged with Naturalization Fraud for allegedly obtaining naturalization and citizenship in 2009 that he was not entitled to or eligible to receive.