CARY, N.C. -

With the understanding the store owner had no direct involvement in terrorist activity, an independent dealership near North Carolina’s capital forfeited money to federal authorities this week because the lot is among 30 rooftops included in a civil asset forfeiture action started last December.

According to a report from WRAL-TV, Cary Auto Sales decided on Monday to forfeit money in a bank account to the federal government in order to settle a civil suit that alleged the business was laundering money for the Lebanon-based terror organization, Hezbollah.

The report revealed the latest development in federal action that first began late last year in New York against 30 dealerships located from Michigan to Florida.

The Raleigh, N.C., television station indicated authorities allege that money was wired from Lebanon to the U.S. to buy used vehicles. Officials believe the units were then moved to West Africa and resold, and cash from the sales was mixed with profits from illegal drug distribution and funneled back to Lebanon to fund terrorist activities.

Court documents showed Cary Auto Sales was linked to more than 100 suspect wire transfers, totaling $4 million.

Dealership attorney Dan Boyce told the TV station the settlement that’s expected to be signed by government authorities notes that Cary Auto Sales wasn’t directly involved in funneling money to Hezbollah, and there is no suggestion that owner Bassam Hanna was connected to the terrorist group.

As part of the settlement, Boyce noted Hanna will forfeit an undisclosed amount of cash from a BB&T account and will implement anti-money laundering guidelines for future sales.

Boyce told WRAL-TV Hanna is relieved to put the allegations behind him and continue operating his store. According to Cary Auto Sales’ website, the dealership has about 70 vehicles in inventory, most of them retailing between $5,000 and $10,000.

Meanwhile, federal investigators are trying to seize $400 million in assets in the case, according to the published report.

U.S. officials believe Hezbollah is the most technically capable terrorist group in the world with strong ties in Syria and Iran.

The original report can be found here.