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| Surge in Sale of Disposable Cell Phones May Have Terror Link |
| 2006-01-13 |
| Phones Can Be Difficult or Impossible to Track; Large Quantities Purchased in California, Texas Federal agents have launched an investigation into a surge in the purchase of large quantities of disposable cell phones by individuals from the Middle East and Pakistan, ABC News has learned. The growing use of the throwaway cell phones has been cited by President Bush as an important justification for expanding the wiretap laws under the Patriot Act. Buried deep in the text, but too important to leave there ;-) "There's very little audit trail assigned to this phone. One can walk in, purchase it in cash, you don't have to put down a credit card, buy any amount of minutes to it, and you don't, frankly, know who bought this," said Jack Cloonan, a former FBI official who is now an ABC News consultant. In one New Year's Eve transaction at a Target store in Hemet, Calif., 150 disposable tracfones were purchased. Suspicious store employees notified police, who called in the FBI, law enforcement sources said. Thank goodness for suspicious store employees! In an earlier incident, at a Wal-mart store in Midland, Texas, on December 18, six individuals attempted to buy about 60 of the phones until store clerks became suspicious and notified the police. A Wal-mart spokesperson confirmed the incident. The Midland, Texas, police report dated December 18 and obtained by ABC News states: "Information obtained by MPD [Midland Police Department] dispatch personnel indicated that approximately six individuals of Middle-Eastern origin were attempting to purchase an unusually large quantity of tracfones (disposable cell phones with prepaid minutes attached)." At least one of the suspects was identified as being from Iraq and another from Pakistan, officials said. "Upon the arrival of officers, suspects were observed moving away from the registers — appearing to evade detection while ridding themselves of the merchandise." Other reports have come in from other cities, including Dallas, and from authorities in other states. Authorities in Pennsylvania, New York and other parts of Texas confirmed that they were alerted to the cases, and sources say other jurisdictions were also notified. The Midland, Texas, arrest report police also identified the individuals as linked to a terror cell. "Evasive responses provided by the subjects, coupled with actions observed by officers at the onset of the contact prompted the notification of local FBI officials to assist in the investigation," the report said. "Upon the arrival of special agents, and as a result of subsequent interviews, it was discovered that members of the group were linked to suspected terrorist cells stationed within the Metroplex. In addition, special agents reported that similar incidents centering on the large-scale purchases of tracfones had been reported throughout the nation — identifying individuals of Middle-Eastern descent as the purchasers." "Upon conclusion of the initial investigation, three of the suspects were taken into custody on immigration violations, with one individual arrested for possession of marijuana — the drug having been discovered during the search of the group's vehicle. Also found within the green 2002 Kia van were additional cell phones, the total believed to be approximately 60." FBI officials told ABC News that while the cases may wind up in the hands of Immigrations and Customs Enforcement, the FBI would benefit from any intelligence gleaned and would take the lead if a solid terrorist connection emerged. Deport the fools! They don't deserve to live here. |
| Posted by:trailing wife |
| #2 Heh, CA - spot-on. They represent the "new subscribers" to the Flagship Paper of Dhimmitude, Tranzi kow-towing, and Kool Aid. Pinch, baby, you're fortune is slowly toasting. Hope you hang on til you're totally broke. And I salute and thank the employees of these places where their suspicions were aroused enough to report them! Thanks! They, obviously, don't read the NYT, lol. |
| Posted by: .com 2006-01-13 22:30 |
| #1 Let's see the NY Slimes article on NSA was published in the December 16, 2005, front-page article. The first mass purchase was on December 18th. Could it be the terrors are readers of the NY Slimes? Me thinks so. |
| Posted by: Captain America 2006-01-13 17:06 |