The case of David Headley (aka Daood Sayed Gilani)

Submitted by Prashant (United States), Apr 17, 2022 at 02:19

Dear Dr Pipes, Days after speculating that drug trafficking could be a funding source for Islamic terrorism, I stumbled upon the Wikipedia page about
Daood Sayed Gilani (aka David Coleman Headley; Ref1 below). Gilani was convicted of and is serving a prison a 35-year prison sentence for his role in the 2009 Mumbai terrorism incidence in which 168 people were killed. Gilani is a US citizen. He was involved in drug trafficking throughout his life. It is surprising that prior to 2009, he had multiple arrests on drug and domestic violence charges. But he was released multiple times and was able to eventually help in the killing of 168 people.

It is also remarkable that in a career spanning 2 decades of drug trafficking and terrorism, Gilani was able a impress two women to marry (without a divorce in between) and father four children.

We should also question the competence of the US law enforcement. Apparently, throughout his criminal and terrorist career, Gilani did not try to hide his criminal history much; the US law enforcement just never found his deeds serious enough to stop him.

Readers who need a primer on the nexus between drugs and Islamic terrorism, should read the link below.

Ref1: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Headley

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