Former area men charged in schemes to smuggle weapons

Information sought on suspects' whereabouts

A former North Olmsted man and two other men were indicted by a federal grand jury on smuggling weapons.

Federal law enforcement officials announced July 26 that three indictments were unsealed in federal court, detailing charges against three men, two formerly of Northeast Ohio, who are believed to be currently residing in Lebanon, according to a news release.

Named in the indictments are George Nakhle Ajaltouni, 47, formerly of North Olmsted; Jean Youssef Issa, 48, of Batroun, Lebanon; and Nakhle “Mike” Nader, 51, formerly of Cleveland.

Ajaltouni and Issa are charged for their alleged roles in a scheme to smuggle and illegally ship firearms from Cleveland to Lebanon, the release said.

Nader is charged in a separate indictment with income tax evasion.

The FBI is seeking information that may lead to the arrests of Ajaltouni and Nader.

Issa recently was arrested pursuant to a Red Notice issued by Interpol, according to the release.

The three indictments describe separate schemes, one involving Ajaltouni and Issa; one involving Ajaltouni alone; and the other solely concerning Nader, the release said.

While the schemes are separate, it is believed that Ajaltouni and Nader are acquaintances and that the two men currently are residing near Batroun, Lebanon.

The indictments originally were filed between 2016 and 2019.

Ajaltouni and Issa officially are charged with conspiracy to smuggle and illegally ship firearms, smuggling goods from the U.S., unlawful delivery of firearms to a common carrier, control of arms exports and imports and unlicensed dealing in firearms.

According to the indictment, it is alleged that from May 2011 to September

2014, Ajaltouni and Issa conspired together to smuggle hundreds of firearms from Cleveland to be resold in Lebanon.

As part of the conspiracy, it is alleged that Ajaltouni purchased firearms from federal firearms dealers and private sellers throughout Northeast Ohio and elsewhere.

In addition, the indictment states that Ajaltouni frequently attended gun shows and paid cash to purchase firearms from exhibitors.

It is further alleged that in order to ship the weapons, Ajaltouni purchased used automobiles from other individuals, which then were used to store and conceal firearms inside the doors and body panels of the vehicles.

The indictment states that Issa then traveled from Lebanon to Cleveland to assist Ajaltouni with concealing the firearms in the vehicles for transportation via ship.

These vehicles were shipped to Lebanon, where the firearms were retrieved and resold, the release said.

Ajaltouni also is charged in a separate indictment with naturalization fraud after obtaining naturalization and citizenship in 2009 that he was not entitled to nor eligible to receive.

Named in the third indictment unsealed July 25 is Nader, who is charged with four counts of income tax evasion related to various businesses he owned and operated in Cuyahoga County.

According to the Nader indictment, it is alleged that from 2012-15, Nader owned and managed the daily operations of three liquor stores in Cuyahoga County.

During this time, Nader is accused of withholding information from his tax preparer regarding sources of additional income, debt forgiveness and using business monies to pay personal expenses, the release said.

The FBI is asking for information on the current whereabouts of Ajaltouni and/or Nader. Call the FBI Tip Line at 800-225-5324.