The Bobster
Senior News Editor since 2004
http://cbs3.com/topstories/FBI.Weapons.Missiles.2.1330135.html
5 Charged In FBI Weapons Sting
Reporting Walt Hunter
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― Federal investigators in Philadelphia say they have charged five suspects who are accused of trying to buy weapons to allegedly be used for terroristic acts.
The FBI Terrorism Task Force announced the arrests of two men and are searching for three others in an over two-year undercover sting that had roots in Philadelphia.
Dani Nemr Tarraf, of Lebanon, and Hussein Ali Asfour, of Georgia, are in federal custody. Douri Nemr Tarraf, Hassan Mohamad Komeiha and Ali Fadel Yahfoufi remain on the loose.
According to the FBI, on July 28 of this year, the suspects allegedly paid an undercover FBI agent $20,000 to buy stinger missiles and 10,000 Colt M4 Carbines to be shipped to Iran and Syria to allegedly be used in acts of terrorism.
Authorities say one of the suspects inquired if the stinger missile was capable of bringing down an F-16 fighter plane.
According to the arrest warrant, the alleged operation began in June 2007 when the suspects began purchasing stolen cell phones from an undercover FBI agent. Over the next several months, the suspects then began purchasing items such as cell phones, laptops, Sony PlayStation systems and automobiles to ship overseas.
In addition, the suspects also asked the undercover FBI agent to obtain fraudulent US passports.
According to the FBI agent-in-charge, the weaponry would have been used in support of terrorism.
"The FBI remains resolutely committed to working with our law enforcement partners to find and stop those individuals who commit crimes, such as those alleged today, in support of a broader intent to commit acts of terrorism against the United States," said Special Agent-in-Charge Janice K. Fedarcyk, of the Philadelphia Division of the FBI. "Today, through the well-coordinated effort of all involved agencies, dangerous weapons have been kept out of the hands of those who would turn those weapons against the United States."
The investigation is ongoing.
5 Charged In FBI Weapons Sting
Reporting Walt Hunter
PHILADELPHIA (CBS 3) ― Federal investigators in Philadelphia say they have charged five suspects who are accused of trying to buy weapons to allegedly be used for terroristic acts.
The FBI Terrorism Task Force announced the arrests of two men and are searching for three others in an over two-year undercover sting that had roots in Philadelphia.
Dani Nemr Tarraf, of Lebanon, and Hussein Ali Asfour, of Georgia, are in federal custody. Douri Nemr Tarraf, Hassan Mohamad Komeiha and Ali Fadel Yahfoufi remain on the loose.
According to the FBI, on July 28 of this year, the suspects allegedly paid an undercover FBI agent $20,000 to buy stinger missiles and 10,000 Colt M4 Carbines to be shipped to Iran and Syria to allegedly be used in acts of terrorism.
Authorities say one of the suspects inquired if the stinger missile was capable of bringing down an F-16 fighter plane.
According to the arrest warrant, the alleged operation began in June 2007 when the suspects began purchasing stolen cell phones from an undercover FBI agent. Over the next several months, the suspects then began purchasing items such as cell phones, laptops, Sony PlayStation systems and automobiles to ship overseas.
In addition, the suspects also asked the undercover FBI agent to obtain fraudulent US passports.
According to the FBI agent-in-charge, the weaponry would have been used in support of terrorism.
"The FBI remains resolutely committed to working with our law enforcement partners to find and stop those individuals who commit crimes, such as those alleged today, in support of a broader intent to commit acts of terrorism against the United States," said Special Agent-in-Charge Janice K. Fedarcyk, of the Philadelphia Division of the FBI. "Today, through the well-coordinated effort of all involved agencies, dangerous weapons have been kept out of the hands of those who would turn those weapons against the United States."
The investigation is ongoing.