US slaps sanctions on Dawood Ibrahim

Nearly three years after designating him as a global terrorist, the Bush administration today imposed sanctions on India's most wanted criminal Dawood Ibrahim and his organisation, denying him access to the US financial system.

Besides slapping sanctions against Dawood and his criminal organisation, which operates in India, Pakistan and the United Arab Emirates, US President George W Bush imposed curbs on Fahd Jamil Georges of Brazil and Ali Naway of Iran. Mexico's Amezcus Contrearas Organisation was also added to the list.

Dawood is wanted in India for the March 12, 1993 serial blasts in Mumbai.

The sanctions have been slapped under the Foreign Narcotics Kingpin Designation Act (Kingpin Act).

'The action underscores the president's determination to do everything possible to pursue drug traffickers, undermine operations and end the suffering that trade in illicit drugs inflicts on Americans and other people around the world, as well as preventing drug traffickers from supporting terrorists,' a White House statement said.

The US had designated Ibrahim as a global terrorist in 2003

'Dual citizenship for Dawood, Shakeel?'

The Kingpin Act, which became law in December 1999, targets foreign narcotics traffickers and their organisations and operatives worldwide, denying them access to the US financial system and all trade and transactions involving US companies and individuals.

The Act does not target the countries in which foreign individuals and entities are operating.

Extradite Dawood, Kandahar hijackers, India to Pak

During this week's India-Pakistan home secretary-level talks, New Delhi handed over to Islamabad a list of 38 most wanted criminals including the Mumbai-born and raised Dawood. Pakistan has feigned ignorance of his presence within its borders.