FBI raid in Tampa (Small business terrorist link)

Tampa Bay News 9 ^ | 02/23/2006 | TampaBayNews9

[devane617]

An early morning raid Thursday resulted in the arrest of a Tampa business owner.

The raid involved law enforcement officers from the Tampa Police Department, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, and the Joint Federal Terrorism Task Force from Detroit.

The officers descended on Britt's Grocery and Deli at Rome Avenue and Sligh Avenue in Tampa at about 7 Wednesday morning. Hasan Qasem owns the deli, and his wife, Mary Qasem, said they were being questioned about checks cashed through the business and that financial records and other items were seized.

Qasem said her husband is Palestenian, but has been a naturalized U.S. citizen since they got married.

FBI spokesperson Carol Michlik confirmed that Hasan Qasem has been arrested by the FBI, but would not say why.

Qasem had a first appearance at the federal court in Tampa Wednesday afternoon, but charges haven't been made public.

[devane617]

I am smart enough to understand how terrorists can launder money via small bussinesses such as hotels, and convienience stores. However, on a mega scale such as ports or other large companies, it is much easier to hide. When and where do we draw the line on foriegn ownership of business?

[b4its2late]

Qasem said her husband is Palestenian, but has been a naturalized U.S. citizen since they got married.

Hmmmm.... kinda makes one wonder.

[JellyJam]

Ping ... perhaps they're friends of Sami Al-Arian.

[Echo Talon]

UAE wouldn't need our terminals to launder money they have the some of the largest banks in the middle east and have ports in
Germany, Australia and China plus a bunch more. The port deal is fine.

[CWOJackson]

I bet they have connections to the UAE and Walmart!

[Lee'sGhost]

Sure are a lot of these type stories popping up. I think there's been a lot of chatter out there and the LEOs are closing in.

[devane617]

If we continue to hand over ownership to foreign interests, when and how will we ever be able to say no?

[proudpapa]

How long have you been a racist?

[Emmett McCarthy]

I think law enforcement has been quietly building cases against a lot of these people for years now and we're just now starting to see the arrests being made. I also think a number of arrests and prosecution may have occurred with little or no publicity. I'm all for it.

[proudpapa]

{sarcasm}

[Echo Talon]

If we continue to hand over ownership to foreign interests, when and how will we ever be able to say no?

After this deal goes through, THEN congress change the rules if they want. If they spit in the UAE's face its not good.

[Eighth Street]

Every Arab naturalized citizen should have their citizenship revoked, and shipped back to the Arabian peninsula.

[untenured]

I think there's been a lot of chatter out there and the LEOs are closing in.

I think it's a law-enforcement operation against Hamas, which I recall reading today may be linked to the activity in Louisiana. This guy is Palestinian.

[marlon]

I agree with you and was thinking the same. Perhaps the phone call interceptions yielded a lot of info which is now being acted on knowing that the idiots in congress are probably going to shut that pipeline down. Not that the NYT divulging it hasn't already effetively shut it down.

[commish]

OK that's it. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MUST SEIZE OPERATION OF ALL 7-11's and OTHER CONVENIENT STORES RIGHT NOW!!!!

[gaijin]

Remember the British lilly-white women sent by her M.E. hubby on a trip abroad? He packed her luggage, but whoopsie! Why on earth did the authorities pull her aside after she checked in...?!

OH, A BOMB TURNED UP IN HER LUGGAGE..!

'Bout 8 years ago, a-la-Lockerbie.

Methinks he intended the seperation to be very...FINAL.

[Lee'sGhost]

"OK that's it. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MUST SEIZE OPERATION OF ALL 7-11's and OTHER CONVENIENT STORES RIGHT NOW!!!!"

And then all the Subways!!!!

[NearlyNormal]

>"OK that's it. THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT MUST SEIZE OPERATION OF ALL 7-11's and OTHER CONVENIENT STORES RIGHT NOW!!!!"

LOL ... NOT BEFORE ALL THE TAXIS!

Wait a minute ... come to think of it, what better way IS there to learn the terrain and perform recon/surveillance in ALL major cities, transportation stations and airports without suspicion than to drive a million cabs?

[devane617]

I know you guys are having a bit of fun at my expense, but the picture you paint is interesting.

[litehaus]

You all do remember St.Louis doncha?