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.''
Good lookin' pooch.
So what? So they switch identities when they enter the country.
You know it, I know, most everyone else knows it. But according to the clown David Drier, all it will take to secure the border is a new social security card with a picture on it.
The FBI will have their photo, fingerprints, and who knows what else. Merely assuming an alias won't protect them for very long.
Well I am kinda curious how he got the pictures of the Chinese, were they duplicates used for other purposes, false identification, like drivers licenses, haz mat, green card airport/other security?
That's a good question.
Well, they can also walk in and ship it in via container. After 9/11, I don't see these guys coming through any portals that require documentation and create a papertrail which can lead back to their accomplices.
On the other hand, I wouldn't have bet on boxcutters, either.
We had the photos and fingerprints of other terrorists and that didn't stop them. These people are not here to get a job, and they are not here to commit petty crimes. They are here to blow themselves up, and they are not particularly concerned about whether they escape or not. Advocates of closed borders are beginning to sound more one-track than the leaglize drugs mafia. Not EVERY story is about your issue.
I see you OBL types don't have a clue and will risk anything so you can continue to exploite illegals. Visas have been greatly tightened up since 9-11 just ask Cat Stevens. Oh and how are you going to get the dirty bomb into the USA? In a container?..good luck...
You're also forgetting that we are routinely turning potential terrorists away from flights because they're on watchlists. If I'm a betting man, and I'm a terrorist, I'm not gambling my name hasn't filtered through somewhere to the DHS and I'm getting kicked off a plane...
Are you aware of the tiny percentage of containers that are searched entering this country? Ever heard of a lead-lined container? There's you real problem. Not a bunch of uneducated gardeners and busboys. You want the borders closed, fine. But the subject has no relavance to this debate. You are ginving the terrorists less credit than they deserve. They have a lot of resources at their disposal. I wouldn't even worry that much about a terroist who was dumb enough to enter the country by sneaking across the border, bcause he's probably too stupid to carry out his plot.
As for the mug shots, fingerprints, and what not, I suppose we'll have to let events work themselves out before passing final judgment.
Fine. So fly to Canada and DRIVE into this country. Impoverished Mexicans are reduced to walking in because they don't have a choice.
I believe most left from Boston and one or two from ME.
Consider the source (CBS) and the fact that it is producing EXACTLY the intended reaction among fanatics.
If you are talking about those that are already here, yes, you are correct. If you are talking about stopping more from coming in, then you are dead wrong.
Every single 911 terrorist entered this country legally.
Fine, what about the ones that are here now that entered the country illegally - that is at the heart of this story.
If you have the means to create a dirty bomb, you have access to the money for a plane ticket and a false set of identification. Why walk into this country when you can fly?
Again, you are correct. But, border security is not the only effort that should be made.
Here is what needs to happen
1). All visa holders from countries know to support or harbor terrorists should be called in to have their visa's renewed.
2). Foreigners from those countries not here on essential business should have their visa revoked or the time shortened.
3). Anyone that has overstayed their visa should be immediately deported. Escort them to where they have their belongings, watch them pack and then escort them to the plane.
4). Anyone visiting this country on a business or tourist visa should be required to provide the address where they are staying and it must be an approved locations such as a hotel, relative or an apartment with a predesignated authorization to house foreigners. Hotels and landlords in these designated location to be required to report to the homeland security the check in and check out of any foreigners staying there.
5.)Anyone caught living at an address that is not approved or reported will immediately have their visa revoked and will be escorted to the nearest international airport for a flight out.
6). All business and tourist visas will be 30 days. Extensions must applied for.
7). To get a handle on all those that have entered the country illegally, require them to report to immigration and obtain a temporary visa. If they can show they are gainfully employed, then put them on the road to a permanant green card status the same as if they came here legally and with all the same requirements.
8). Anyone here illegally that does not report and is caught is immediately deported after the deadline for reporting.
That is for starters. These are the steps needed to get a handle on this very large security issue.
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