Second man admits conspiring with accused missile broker (plot to attack 15 American airliners)

Star-Ledger ^ | Wednesday, April 21, 2004 | JOHN P. MARTIN

[Liz]

An Indian national pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring to transmit money for an accused arms broker, but said he did not realize the payment was for missiles sold to terrorists.

Moinuddeen Ahmed Hameed, 40, who lived in Malaysia, was arrested Aug. 12 as he and Yehuda Abraham, a New York jeweler, prepared to accept hundreds of thousands of dollars and transmit the money overseas from Abraham's office.

[Liz]

The defense attorneys for Abraham and Hameed did not return calls seeking comment yesterday. A plea deal for Lakhani is unlikely, his attorney said. Because of his age, "any sentence would be a life sentence," Klingeman said.

Not to mention the death sentences they planned to inflict on thousands of innocent Americans.

[happygrl]

Hameed pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiring to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, the same charge Yehuda admitted last month.

These kinds of transactions are quite common in countries that have currency controls. These two likely did not know what they were caught up in.

Lakhani, however, is a different story.

Too bad if it becomes a life sentence for him.//sarc//

[Liz]

Arms dealer indicted in terror plot; Feds say accused broker urged missile attacks on 15 U.S. jets

BY JOHN P. MARTIN, STAR LEDGER

U.S. Attorney Christopher Christie said Lakhani brazenly suggested to the FBI witness that he buy more missiles and use 10 to 15 of them to simultaneously down jetliners at airports across America. In the conversation, one of more than 100 taped by FBI agents, Lakhani suggested launching the attacks on Sept. 11 to incite a war, Christie said.

[Liz]

An alleged missile broker arrested in New Jersey suggested to his buyer that the weapons be launched simultaneously against 15 U.S. jetliners and offered to deliver a radioactive "dirty bomb" for use against Americans,......

Part of the plan was to destabilize the US economy, as well.

[Liz]

Hameed pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiring to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, the same charge Yehuda admitted last month....... These kinds of transactions are quite common in countries that have currency controls. These two likely did not know what they were caught up in.

That's so true. It could happen to anyone.

You could be standing in line at Starbuck's waiting for your double decaf latte when, darn it all, you meet a terrorist.

You want to be cordial so you agree to facilitate the terrorist's financial needs, and b/c you're such a loyal American, you don't even bother to ask what you are getting involved in.

After all, it's so darn rude to be impolite to a terrorist planning to blowup US airliners.

[Liz]

Better study up on the law. The bank lookout waiting in the car is deemed just as guilty as the guy robbing the bank. It's called aiding and abetting.

[happygrl]

No, that's not what the story says, nor is it what I am saying.

I know of a number of immigrants who transfer money in this way.

As this story indicates, it puts them in a dangerous situation.

Yehuda is an orthodox Jew, hardly someone who would intentionaly aid Muslim Terrorists.

This is a case of the naive being swept up in a terrorist plot.

It is a cautionary lesson to those who take part in these kinds of transactions.

[Liz]

Yehuda is hardly someone who would intentionaly aid Muslim Terrorists. This is a case of the naive being swept up in a terrorist plot.

A multi-millionare businessman with a far-flung jewelry business---including a retail store in Muslim Saudi Arabia---who deals in buying and selling sophisticated, high-end precious gems----is "naive" ?

I don't think so.

Let me add that your elitist contempt for the intelligence level of the Free Republic Forum is extraordinarily offensive.

[Just mythoughts]

"Hameed pleaded guilty to a single count of conspiring to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, the same charge Yehuda admitted last month.

The offense could carry a prison term of up to 32 months under federal sentencing guidelines, but Hameed is expected to cooperate with prosecutors to receive a lighter term. Specifically, he told the judge he would provide information about others in the money-transmitting scheme."


According to this, sounds like this is quite a thriving business opportunity. It will be interesting to learn where this scheme will lead.

I read in another article recently that terrorists are funding themselves with African diamonds. Ugly concept that "diamonds a girl's best friend" could not be the object that funds terrorists.

[Liz]

Diamonds are used b/c they are easily transportable and convertable into cash. Cash is not as easy to hide, besides coming under currency laws, while diamonds can be secreted or "hidden" in plain sight, simply worn as jewelry---and then bartered or sold for cash. There should be more investigations into this type of undercover financing.

[Just mythoughts]

"Diamonds are used b/c they are easily transportable and convertable into cash. Cash is not as easy to hide, besides coming under currency laws, while diamonds can be secreted or "hidden" in plain sight, simply worn as jewelry---and then bartered or sold for cash. There should be more investigations into this type of undercover financing."

Diamonds being of multi-purpose use have value from manufacturing to "jewels".
Guess we could call this the "Diamond cartel". Like the "drug cartel", "oil cartel", etc.....

[Liz]

Diamond Cartel..... I think the term has been used.

[Just mythoughts]

"Diamond Cartel..... I think the term has been used."


Yes it has been used, but not quite reflective of the modern day terrorist usage to fund their attempt to destroy the US.

Can you imagine ads run claiming "diamonds a girl's best friend" funds terrorists??????

[Liz]

Good point. The term Diamond Cartel should be used as a pejorative due to its terrorist connections.

[happygrl]

Let me add that your elitist contempt for the intelligence level of the Free Republic Forum is extraordinarily offensive.

I am neither elitist or disparaging of the intelligence level of FR posters. It is you who must resort to name-calling to bolster your position.

When this story first surfaced last year, it was noted by several FReepers that this kind of transaction is common among immigrant communities. Yehuda was defended by several of the Jewish Freepers on this forum who were familiar with the Middle Eastern way of doing business. It is not our way of doing things, but in many parts of the world, it is understood that it is often best to not ask questions outside of limited parameters.

One of the features of FR is the wide-ranging experience and knowledge of those who post here. I would suggest that, rather than bring your pre-conceived notions of reality to bear, that you try opening up and learning a little of the way that the world works outside of your own limited conclave.

[Liz]

(Sniffle) Its so wonderful to know there are people out there that are so (sob) "tolerant and compassionate" of terrorists wanting to blowup American airliners (bawl).

[Just mythoughts]

Could well be that is why the "LEFTIST" hate the Patriot Act so much. Follow the money!!!!!