Date:   8/13/2003 11:03:01 PM ( 21 y ago)
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URL:   https://www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=582714

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I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT IMPACT THIS WILL HAVE ON Terrorism -
SO THEY CAUGHT A GREEDY, MALOVENT BASTARD. HAD THE SAME OFFER BEEN MADE TO THE FORTUNE 500 CEOS, 50% OF THEM WOULD HAVE RESPONDED IN A SIMILAR MANNER... A BUCK'S A BUCK.
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FBI: Suspected Dealer Sought 50 Missiles

By STEVE STRUNSKY, Associated Press Writer

NEWARK, N.J. - A suspected arms dealer ordered held without bond Wednesday began arranging to smuggle 50 more shoulder-fired missiles into the United States soon after securing one of the weapons, which he thought was intended to shoot down a jetliner, according to an FBI (news - web sites) affidavit.

The document also said that Hemant Lakhani, dealing with an undercover FBI agent he believed to be a Muslim terrorist, was recorded as saying Osama bin Laden (news - web sites) "did a good thing" and "straightened them all out."

Lakhani, 68, a Briton described as a "significant international arms dealer," is charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to terrorists and acting as an arms broker without a license.

"The terrorists who have threatened America lost an ally in their attempts to kill our citizens," Christopher J. Christie, the U.S. attorney for New Jersey, said after Lakhani's arraignment.

Lakhani and two other men were arrested Tuesday after an 18-month investigation by the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force in Newark and Russian and British authorities, Christie said.

The most serious charge Lakhani faces carries a 15-year maximum prison sentence. Counts against the other men carry a five-year maximum sentence.

Speaking to reporters from his ranch in Texas, President Bush (news - web sites) said Lakhani's arrest undercut criticism by Democrats that his administration was not doing enough to fight terrorism.

"The fact that we're able to sting this guy is a pretty good example of what we're doing in order to protect the American people," Bush said.

Lakhani was arrested at a hotel near Newark Liberty International Airport, a day after a sealed arrest warrant was issued for him and the other men.

Lakhani had agreed to deliver a missile to U.S. agents posing as buyers after he obtained it from Russian agents posing as sellers, Christie said.

Lakhani's lawyer, Assistant Federal Public Defender Donald J. McCauley, refused to comment on the case.

Moinuddeen Ahmed Hameed, 38, who was arrested in New York on Tuesday, is charged with conspiring to operate a money laundering operation as part of a scheme to pay for the missiles. Hameed, an Indian citizen residing in Malaysia, appeared in court with Lakhani and was ordered held without bail pending an Aug. 20 hearing.

Even as Justice Department (news - web sites) officials in Washington applauded the sting, some expressed frustration that news of Lakhani's arrest leaked Tuesday before investigators could determine whether he might cooperate or lead them to other alleged operatives.

In a news conference after the Newark hearing, Christie said Hameed flew to the U.S. from Malaysia after being summoned by Lakhani, in order to launder a $500,000 down payment on an additional 50 missiles that undercover agents sought from Lakhani, after one missile was shipped at a cost of $86,000.

Lakhani and Hameed were brought into the packed courtroom in civilian clothes, with their hands cuffed in front of them. Neither man spoke, and both declined interpreters.

Hameed's lawyer, Cathy Fleming, said her client maintained his innocence. "He is upset, bewildered, and he has expressed confidence in the American justice system," she said.

Officials also announced money laundering charges against Yehuda Abraham, 76, of New York City, whom Christie said had handled the funds for the initial missile purchase.

Abraham was arrested in Manhattan with Hameed at Abraham's gem dealership just off Fifth Avenue. His bail was set at $10 million during an appearance in federal court in Manhattan, when a judge ordered him extradited to New Jersey.

Abraham, Lakhani and Hameed were all being held at the Passaic County Jail, where the government routinely houses federal prisoners.

People going in and out of the gem dealership Wednesday afternoon said they knew nothing about him. A reporter who went there Wednesday evening was asked to leave by building security.

Abraham's four children, his rabbi and about a dozen other supporters attended the court appearance but did not speak to reporters afterward.

Abraham's lawyer, Larry Krantz, told U.S. Magistrate Andrew Peck that his client is in poor health. Arguing for a lower bail, Krantz noted the charge against Abraham does not say his client knew he was dealing with terrorists.

According to the FBI affidavit, the probe began in December 2001, when a "cooperating witness" under federal law enforcement control began talking to Lakhani about obtaining anti-aircraft guns and missiles.

Lakhani is not believed to be connected to al-Qaida or any other known terrorist group, federal officials say. Authorities also stressed that there was no specific, credible threat to shoot down an airliner in the United States.

But one official said the understanding between Lakhani and the undercover FBI agent was that the missile needed to be capable of bringing down a commercial airliner.

Christie said evidence against Lakhani includes audio and video recordings in which he discusses the plot, speaks favorably of bin Laden and the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The cooperating witness told Lakhani he was representing a Somali group that wanted to buy one missile initially "with a purchase of a greater number of missiles to follow," the affidavit said.

Lakhani traveled to Moscow on July 12 to finalize the sale of a missile. Lakhani met there with the cooperating witness and two officers of Russia's Federal Security Service posing as suppliers.

They displayed what appeared to be a sophisticated Russian SA-18 Igla missile, but Christie said it was an inoperable copy later brought to the United States aboard a ship to make the bogus deal seem real.

On July 15, Lakhani asked for a commitment from the Russian "suppliers" for 50 more missiles to be sent to the United States by Aug. 30. Lakhani also said he was interested in purchasing a ton of C-4 plastic explosive, according to the affidavit.
 

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