Posted on 01/19/2005 1:44:33 PM PST by RWR8189
Federal and state authorities are investigating a nuclear terrorist threat against Boston after a man calling from Mexico told California police that he smuggled two Iraqis and four Chinese over the border, the Boston Herald has learned.
``They got a call from across the border in Mexico to the California Highway Patrol and he said he brought two Iraqis and four Chineses (individuals)across the border and according to him, they stated soon to follow behind them would be some sort of material,'' said a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation.
``He refers to some sort of nuclear material that will follow them through New York up into Boston.''
According to the source, the caller has not identified himself and did not show up for a meeting with federal investigators in California but he did leave pictures of four Chinese men and some names at a ``drop'' site at the Mexico-California border.
``They were dropped by the source at a location. He literally threw them over a fence from Mexico to the U.S. side,'' said the source. ``There are pictures of the four Chinese and some names but just how accurate they are remains a question''
Massachusetts law enforcement officials were notified of the threat at 5:30 a.m. today through the FBI and Boston Police Joint Terrorist Task Force.
The threat was serious enough that Mayor Menino ordered the Fire Commissioner and the state's Homeland Security Chief into his office at City Hall, where they met with officials from the CIA, FBI, and Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, a high-ranking city official told the Herald.
``They are desperately trying to piece it together,'' said the offial, who added that if the threat is real it is ``very scary.''
A company that trains explosive-sniffing dogs said it was alerted that the canines would be searching for a ``dirty bomb,'' a New York City law enforcement official said yesterday.
The Massachusetts investigator said much of the man's information sounds far-fetched and investigators have some doubts about the caller's validity because he has not identified himself.
``A lot of it doesn't make sense and some of it does,'' said the source. ``It's totally uncorroborated. This all began several days ago as a series of phone calls and they don't know who the caller is. There are some parts of it that just don't make sense and other little pieces of it that fall into place. The information is these people that came into the country are going to New eYork into Boston and the (nuclear) material will follow them.''
The source said there is speculation the caller may have been ripped off by illegal immigrants he helped over the border and is now trying to exact revenge.
``It's very weird. Even if (the Iraqis and Chinese) were going to do something why would they be blabbing to the yahoo smuggling them across the border? You have to wonder if they screwd him on a deal but you have to treat it seriously and the issue is how do you put it out to the public and not get everybody (in a panic)?''
The source said the information will soon ``come out over police channels and BOLOs (be on the lookout).''
The source added the FBI office in San Diego is leading the investigation. ``The FBI in San Diego is the originating office so they are driving the investigation. The FBI in Boston is in a tough position because they are waiting for information''
The caller has not given investigators any means to contact him.
``They tried to set up a meet with him but he didn't show up.''
Why are we being told this?
If this was true, why would the FBI be telling us all this? There is a massive downside (public panic, etc) and I see no upside. Something is up.
Pretty scary stuff.
This kind of info reminds us that there is still a serious terror threat against our nation.
Pretty scary stuff.
This kind of info reminds us that there is still a serious terror threat against our nation.
It's on Drudge too and Hannity was talking about it earlier.
We know this because the media is in it fully for the exposé, and are willing to publish everything to get their name and credibility out.
Because any fear or other distraction that could possibly detract from the celebration of President Bush's second inauguration is a good thing. In the minds of many.
Two Iraqis and four Chinese.
Most everything no matter how ridiculous will be told. Prospecitive CYA, a lesson of 9/11 for bureaucrats.
Even if true I'm not too worried. I bought lots of duct tape two years ago per Homeland Security advisory.
God forbid this is a valid story. It could be a bogus story so the terrorists can observe and note the response to it.
Testing the defenses as it were.
Slow news day
Who broke the story? CBS?
We knew this was coming. But why Boston? It's a *zero gain* target. NYC is truly *ground zero*.
Uh oh...
looks pretty suspect to me....the Chinese would not want their fingerprints on any operation this close-up.
Yep.
...but he did leave pictures of four Chinese men and some names at a ``drop'' site at the Mexico-California border.
IOW he had no pics of the "Iraqis." The Iraqis might be fictional, the caller knowing LE would attempt to capture the Chinese if they could be associated with Middle Easterners.
Could all be a test or prank anyway.
What the hell are you talking about? Michael Moore said there IS no terrorist threat and is just using it for political gain!! ;)
Everyone calm down, they're only here to do work that Americans won't do. Hell, a couple of months from now the Mexcan guy won't even have to throw them over the fence they can moonwalk across the border if they like.
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