NEWS: U.S. Busts Arms Smuggling Ring

Federal officials have arrested 18 people allegedly involved in a plan to illegally smuggle arms into the country. The weapons include rocket-propelled grenades, anti-aircraft missiles, anti-tank missiles, and automatic rifles. The arrests were a result of a year-long investigation utilizing a confidential informant and thousands of wiretaps. The suspects were apprehended in New York City last night.



This is a major victory for the U.S. government's domestic anti-terrorism and crime fighting activities. If these weapons had in fact been delivered to a terrorist group, the results could have been devastating. But one has to wonder, how many of these deals go undetected?

Related News Links:
www.reuters.com

Well, It's nice to know that we're not asleep at the wheel.
I think a lot of people have been holding their breath, waiting on the next attack inside the U.S.
I think this is definitely a big "score"...I wonder what intelligence, if any, that we can obtain by those in custody?
Kick A$$

sting op ?



[edit on 15-3-2005 by Silenus]

Does anyone know where these weapons were destined for? This was good timing (with the anti Sinn Fein news happening at the moment) if the weapons were headed for the I.R.A. Just wondering.

mzrti, from what I understand there were no real buyers. Only government informants and agents. I believe the agents told the sellers that the weapons would be used for terrorism however.

Is there some vote for something coming up? Why announce this now? Are the Contras involved?

woaahhh.....wait a second there.....what the heck was this all about...this people were smuggling "anti-aircraft missiles, anti-tank missiles".....and other Russian military weaponry into the country for terrorism?..... Were terrorists going to start attacking tanks in the US?......

[edit on 15-3-2005 by Muaddib]

Originally posted by Muaddib
woaahhh.....wait a second there.....what the heck was this all about...this people were smuggling "anti-aircraft missiles, anti-tank missiles".....and other Russian military weaponry into the country for terrorism?..... Were terrorists going to start attacking tanks in the US?......

[edit on 15-3-2005 by Muaddib]

hardly tanks but everyone knows we have 1000's of planes flying that would make good targets for terrorists. Also allow me to point out just because a missile may be intended for destorying tanks, they could also be used on trains.

found this interesting bit today:
FBI Says Local Men May Have Had Al-Qaida Connections

MIAMI -- Federal agents arrested two South Florida men Tuesday who the FBI said may have had connections with Al-Qaida.

Michel Demare, of north Miami-Dade County, and Joseph Colpani, of Hollywood, were just two of 18 alleged arms traffickers arrested in a national sweep Tuesday.

Demare and Colpani are accused of selling assault weapons such as grenade launchers and shoulder-fired missiles in New York, Los Angeles and Fort Lauderdale.

Why is it that Florida always seems to be involved in some major news story?? especially the terrorist connections?

The arrests were a result of a year-long investigation utilizing a confidential informant and thousands of wiretaps. The suspects were apprehended in New York City last night.

Wiretaps??? Omigod, some poor terrorist must have had his rights violated!
Where's the ACLU?

Originally posted by worldwatcher
Why is it that Florida always seems to be involved in some major news story?? especially the terrorist connections?

Because Jeb (Bush) is still governor?