Zazi, Reportedly Had Weapons and Explosives Training From al-Qaeda
September 20, 2009 by national
Filed under Homeland Security News
New York Daily News reports that an alleged al-Qaeda terror operative told investigators he received training in “weapons and explosives” from Osama Bin Laden sources last year, according to documents released Sunday.
Najibullah Zazi admitted he visited Pakistan’s wartorn tribal areas for the training, documents said.
Zazi, 25, was collared by the FBI late Saturday night in Aurora, Colo., along with his father, Mohammed Wali Zazi.
Also arrested was Ahmad Wais Afzali, 37, the imam of a mosque in Flushing, Queens.
All three face initial charges of lying to investigators from Joint Terrorism Task Forces in Denver and New York.
“The arrests … are part of an ongoing and fast-paced investigation,” said Assistant Attorney General David Kris.
[...]
In one Queens flat, the FBI found a “black scale” and batteries – which can be used to measure chemicals to make hydrogen-peroxide-based explosives – which had Zazi’s fingerprints, court papers revealed.
The FBI and NYPD grew alarmed that Zazi and his possible co-conspirators might be planning an imminent attack when they found backpacks and cell phones in an apartment. They also learned that Afzali and other Zazi associates tried to rent a 26-foot U-Haul truck the day before Zazi arrived in Queens.
Read Full Article and Updates At NY Daily News
Once again we have stopped what appears to be a “wedding in waiting.” Thanks to all the agents who listened to their gut feeling and followed up. We are fortunate to have defenders like these who have once again stopped such attempts to wreak havoc on us in the last 8 years. You have our sincere appreciation. Don’t allow the critizisms about how you do your jobs to destroy your morale…just keep on doing them. God Bless you all.