Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat

Thanks to MamaDearest for pointing to this link:
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http://www.allheadlinenews.com/cgi-bin/news/newsbrief.plx?id=2247037228&fa=1

"Radical Muslims Promise Riots In London"

August 8, 2005 3:00 p.m. EST

Douglas Maher - All Headline News Staff Reporter

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "London, UK (AHN) - The terror-linked Islamic network known as Hizb ut-Tahrir is warning British Prime Minister Tony Blair riots will be brought to the streets of London if he attempts to ban the organization."

News.BBC.co.uk" "TREASON THREAT CLERIC LEAVES UK" (Last Updated August 8, 2005) (Read More...)

Note: The following post is an exact quote:
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http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1459630/posts

Village activists push for Islamic state in Central Asia (Kyrgyz group aims for Caliphate)
BBC News ^ | Monday, 8 August 2005

Posted on 08/09/2005 12:19:03 AM PDT by F14 Pilot

The London bombings have prompted the UK government to outlaw Hizb ut Tahrir - a radical Islamic group that wants to replace secular governments with an Islamic Caliphate.

The group is particularly strong in Central Asia.

High in the mountains of poverty-stricken Kyrgyzstan, a bearded man with a fierce gaze slices a watermelon. It is a very colourful sight - red drops of juice on the green carpet, with the glistening snow-covered peaks in the distance.

"In this village, people trust us, not the authorities," says Nur Mohammed, a local leader of Hizb ut Tahrir, which is also banned in Kyrgyzstan.

"Everybody here knows that we will solve their problems quickly and in strict accordance with the Koran. And this suits people a lot better than the slow, bureaucratic and often expensive official route."

The village of Arslanbob is tiny and difficult to reach. From here, it is a two-hour drive to the nearest town.

So people here have always thought it best to solve problems in-house.

"We have already won the battles on prostitution, drink and robbery," says Nur Mohammed.

"All we do is talk to people about the Koran. Sometimes, it requires more than just the skill of persuasion - but in the end, we do come out on top. In our village, nobody even locks their doors now. We've taught people to trust each other - and to respect Sharia law."

But for Hizb ut Tahrir, battles for hearts and minds in small villages like Arslanbob are just routine. The organisation aims much higher.

"All Muslims in the world already want to live in a Caliphate, under Sharia law," he says. "It will be a huge state, a very powerful state. Even now you are all afraid of us - America, Israel, you in the UK too."

(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...

Note: The following text is an exact quote:
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http://www.ice.gov/graphics/news/newsreleases/articles/050808atlanta.htm

News Release

August 8, 2005

FEDERAL INDICTMENT UNSEALED AGAINST EIGHTEEN MEMBERS OF SUR-13 STREET GANG IN ATLANTA

ATLANTA, GA -- David E. Nahmias, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia; Kenneth A. Smith, Special Agent in Charge, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Gregory Jones, Special Agent in Charge, Federal Bureau of Investigation; and law enforcement authorities from Atlanta, Fulton, Cobb, DeKalb, Gwinnett and Alpharetta announce the unsealing of a federal grand jury indictment against 18 members of a violent street gang known as "Sureños-13," also known as "SUR-13."

The indictment charges 14 defendants with being part of a racketeering conspiracy and 3 additional defendants with violent crimes related to racketeering. The indictment was returned under seal on July 12th and unsealed on August 5th to allow the coordinated arrest of the defendants. According to Nahmias and the indictments unsealed today:

Regarding the racketeering charges, the indictment alleges predicate crimes including murder, attempted murder, carjacking, armed robbery, and drug dealing. The indictment also charges 8 defendants with conspiring to possess and possessing with the intent to distribute methamphetamine and marijuana, 4 defendants with armed carjacking, and 12 defendants with firearms charges, including possessing, carrying, using, and discharging a firearm during and in relation to violent crimes and drug trafficking. The defendants charged are:

ARMANDO PRUDENTE, a/k/a "Charra," 33, of Atlanta; NICASO CALDERON URIBE, a/k/a "Chico," 34, of Atlanta; CARLOS MANUEL LORENZANA, a/k/a "Negro," 28, of Atlanta; ROBERTO SANDOVAL, a/k/a "Charrita," 23, of Atlanta; FREDDIE SANDOVAL, a/k/a "Enano," 21, of Lawrenceville; ISRAEL CRUZ, a/k/a "Mananitas," 26, of Atlanta; AVILA GILBERTO MALDONADO, a/k/a "Roris," 26, of Atlanta; JORGE FLORES, a/k/a "Shadow," 28, of Atlanta; ALEJANDRO SALGADO, 25, of Marietta, Georgia; ARTURO SANCHEZ, a/k/a "Heuro Pipas," 28, of Atlanta; ANGEL MAZAIEGOS, a/k/a "Grumpy," 22, of Atlanta; RICARDO GAMA, a/k/a "Kiwi," 27, of Atlanta; CARLOS MARTINEZ, a/k/a "Lil' Beto," 22, of Atlanta; JOSE TAPIA, 22, of Atlanta; EMANUEL AVILA-VILLASANA, a/k/a "Creepy," 21, of Atlanta; RODOLFO PEREZ, a/k/a "Chino," 26, of Lawrenceville, Georgia; EDGAR PEREZ, a/k/a "Cholo," 25, of Lawrenceville, Georgia, and LUIS ALBERTO NANDY, a/k/a "Cepillin," 21, of Atlanta.

As of today, 16 named defendants have been arrested on the unsealed indictment. United States Attorney Nahmias said the indictment was part of a two-year investigation into the activities of Sureños-13. In addition to this indictment, the operation included the arrest and federal prosecution of 7 other Sureños-13 gang members, the deportation of 40 members, and the seizure of 13 firearms and $7,000 in cash over the course of the investigation.

Also arrested this weekend were approximately 11 SUR-13 members and associates who were residing illegally in the U.S. and who will likely face administrative deportation.

The charges were made public at a news conference this morning, which included representatives from the District Attorneys of Cobb, Fulton, DeKalb and Gwinnett Counties, and the Atlanta, Alpharetta and Gwinnett County Police Departments. The law enforcement agencies participate in the Law Enforcement Gang Interdiction Task Force (LEGIT), which has cooperatively investigated the case with ICE and the FBI.

At the news conference, United States Attorney David Nahmias said, "As alleged in the indictment, members of Sur-13 were responsible for a significant amount of drug and violent crime occurring within Fulton, DeKalb, Gwinnett, and Cobb Counties over the last several years. This indictment is an important step in combating the problems that violent street gangs such as this pose throughout the district. The use of federal racketeering and drug conspiracy statutes to attack a gang's entire leadership is consistent with the North Georgia anti-gang strategy developed in conjunction with the Anti-Gang Law Enforcement Summit recently held in the District."

ICE Special Agent In Charge Kenneth Smith said, "The success of this joint operation can be attributed to the cooperation and commitment of several local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies in the Atlanta area. By targeting the leadership of this criminal organization, we will have a significant impact on their illegal activities, resulting in safer neighborhoods and communities. ICE is proud to be part of this collaborative effort."

FBI Special Agent In Charge Greg Jones said of the case, "The combined efforts of the multiple law enforcement agencies involved in this investigation, to include the significant contributions and leadership of the Law Enforcement Gang Interdiction Task Force, has proven extremely effective in combating this crime problem and they should be commended for their tireless efforts."

Members of the public are reminded that the indictment contains only allegations. A defendant is presumed innocent of the charges and it will be the government's burden to prove a defendant's guilt beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

The case is being investigated by Special Agents of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Assistance in this case is being provided by the Cobb County Police Department, the Fulton County Police Department, the Gwinnett County Police Department and (others).

Assistant United States Attorney Kim S. Dammers is prosecuting the case. For further information please contact David E. Nahmias (pronounced NAH-me-us), United States Attorney or Yonette Sam-Buchanan, Chief, Terrorism, Violent Crimes and Firearms Unit, through Patrick Crosby, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Attorney's Office, at (404) 581-6016. The Internet address for the HomePage for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Georgia is www.usdoj.gov/usao/gan.

The information contained in this release was taken from a U.S. Attorney's news release from the Northern District of Georgia.

-- ICE --

ON THE NET...

ICC-CCS.ORG - THE WEEKLY PIRACY REPORT
http://www.icc-ccs.org/prc/piracyreport.php

485 posted on 08/09/2005 1:48:28 AM PDT by Cindy

http://www.airportbusiness.com/article/article.jsp?siteSection=5&id=3004

Updated: August 8th, 2005 12:27 PM EDT
Home > Airline and Airport Security News
"Dogs Vs. Machine: Will Tech Gadgets Replace Man's Best Friend in Screening Process?"

Toronto Star via NewsEdge Corporation

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "Terminal One at Pearson International Airport is an assemblage of straight lines, shallow curves and smooth surfaces. It looks like the home of technology, a place where things could run smoothly in the complete absence of life.

Inside, an electronic arsenal keeps at bay terrorists, firearms, bombs, narcotics and farm pests. The arsenal includes hi-tech gadgets that detect explosives and drugs, X-ray machines, and biometric iris scanners that identify travellers based on the patterns in their eyes.

It also includes one "no-tech gadget" the domestic dog."

ON THE NET...

PERSECUTION.ORG
http://www.persecution.org

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http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/8/82005a.asp

"Court Rules School Board Members May Open Meetings With Prayer"
By Jim Brown
August 8, 2005

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "(AgapePress) - A judge has tossed out a lawsuit filed by the American Civil Liberties Union challenging prayers at school board meetings in Delaware. The lawsuit was filed against members of the Indian River School District Board of Education, a group that regularly opens its business meetings with prayer.

Judge Joseph Farnan ruled that the school board meeting prayers are not a violation of the constitutional provision often referred to as the separation of church and state or the "Establishment Clause," as the ACLU had argued. He also determined that the school board members are immune from the ACLU's liability claims.

In dismissing the case against the individual board members, the judge stated that opening a session of the legislature or other deliberative public body with a prayer does not violate the Establishment Clause. He also declared that absolute immunity extends to legislators at all levels of government, including school board members in Delaware."

http://www.townhall.com/columnists/calthomas/ct20050808.shtml

"Blair's anti-terror measures: too little, too late"
Cal Thomas

August 8, 2005

COLUMN SNIPPET: "Saying "the rules of the game are changing," British Prime Minister Tony Blair has proposed tough new anti-terror measures that would deport clerics who preach hate, close their mosques, bar entry to Muslim radicals and shut bookstores and Web sites that promote murder and revolution.

Blair's actions are long overdue and that's the problem. Some have been warning for many years not to let these hostile invaders into Europe and the United States, but they were labeled "Islamophobes" and "racists" by people whose objective was to keep the doors wide open, allowing more killers to come in."

Smiling to myself...

My new and updated JUNK mail filter is working overtime.
What a greaaaat program.

ON THE NET...

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cybersilkroad2003/message/8128
http://www.al-moharer.net/mohhtm/i_ebeid226.ht
http://www.al-moharer.net/qiwa_shabiya/baath_statements-e.htm.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cybersilkroad2003/message/8127
http://www.al-moharer.net/mohhtm/abu_assur226e.htm
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cybersilkroad2003/message/8126
http://www.al-moharer.net/mohhtm/letter_from_baghd226.htm
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cybersilkroad2003/message/8125
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cybersilkroad2003/message/8123
http://www.islamicawakening.com/viewnews.php?newsID=5352&
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Cybersilkroad2003/message/8117
http://www.islamicawakening.com/viewnews.php?newsID=5352&
http://www.islamicawakening.com/viewnews.php?newsID=5352&

Osama bin Laden Looks Like Heading for Iraq

DEBKAfile Exclusive Report

August 8, 2005, 11:52 PM (GMT+02:00)

Coded electronic signals bandied in recent days among al Qaeda Middle Eastern elements across secret Internet sites all carry the same message: the supreme leader, Osama bin Laden, has come out of hiding in Afghanistan and set out, or is about to set out, for Iraq. This is the sense gained from this correspondence by DEBKAfile’s exclusive counter-terror sources.

Some of the signals schedule his date of arrival as the second half of September when Ramadan is estimated to begin. His arrival in Iraq is planned to signal the launching of the biggest offensive his organization has ever launched against the US army. If these signals are a true representation of bin Laden’s plans and not a red herring, what is planned is a dramatic landmark battle in the global war on terror and the Iraqi conflict.

The signals cap a secret exchange of messages in recent weeks in which al Qaeda’s Iraq commander Abu Musab al –Zarqawi attempted to persuade bin Laden to leave Afghanistan and take command of the Ramadan offensive in Iraq. Zarqawi argued the importance of his transferring from Afghanistan to Iraq on two grounds: to boost al Qaeda’s standing as it embarks on an “offensive whose scale and importance rival the September 2001 operation.” and in the interests of his own personal safety.

Zarqawi stressed, according to our sources, that bin Laden will be safer in Iraq than in Afghanistan – an indication of Jordanian terrorist’s inflated self-confidence.

DEBKAfile and DEBKA-Net-Weekly’s experts have authenticated the messages as emanating from Zarqawi. Their secret contents have begun to leak out and set up a huge flap in al Qaeda networks, cells and affiliates in many countries and talk of “a new jihad to honor the leader.”

If bin Laden was indeed swayed by Zarqawi and aims to reach Iraq by mid-September, he has little time to lose and must already have set out on his winding secret journey, or be about to depart. One of his options would be the long way round through Pakistani and Iranian Baluchistan and across the border into Iraq.

But there is an alternative route from Pakistan which he might find easier. DEBKAfile’s counter-terror sources revealed last May that al Qaeda had established a new marine base in the remote Gawatar Bay, a Persian Gulf inlet down the middle of which runs the Pakistani-Iranian border. Al Qaeda operatives are known to be active on both shores – on the Pakistani side, they use as sanctuaries the Baluchi villages strung along the River Dasht which empties into the divided bay; on the Iranian side, the move around the Baluchi port of Chah-Bahar (Bandar Beheshti).

From both these places, al Qaeda has for months been running a sea corridor of smugglers’ vessels into the southern Iraqi port of Basra. There, they clandestinely drop arms and fighters and collect injured men on the return trip for treatment in Pakistan.

Al Qaeda’s marine traffic from Baluchistan was first revealed by DEBKA-Net-Weekly 211 on June 24.

To subscribe to DEBKA-Net-Weekly click HERE .

The al Qaeda leader may choose to enter Iraq by sea rather than take the long, overland route, in which case his people will have arrived at Gawatar Bay and making preparations for his journey. He would have reason to believe it is safer. Intelligence of al Qaeda’s Baluchi sea smugglers has reached the American and British naval forces operating in the northern reaches of the Persian Gulf, the Shatt al Arb, Basra and the southern Iraqi oil terminals. Yet neither has been able to put a stop to the traffic.

Bin Laden has proved himself an undercover escape artist par excellence. In the five years since he escaped the Bora Bora siege, he and his party, including his close tribe, have managed to flit from place to place undetected - even when his pursuers were close and watching out for him.

If he does indeed make it to Iraq, the public airing of his presence in the Land of the Two Rivers, would have a radical impact on the nature of the Iraq conflict. No longer a mere guerrilla campaign, it would escalate to a full-scale fight to the finish against al Qaeda in Iraq, analogous to the all-out hostilities in Afghanistan.

Bin Laden’s organization has begun referring to the Iraq conflict in these ultimate terms.

http://www.debka.com/article.php?aid=1068

We'll see.

On a scale of 1-100 how reliable is that information?

Post 350 Lurkers was basically propaganda.
Enough of this junk, now for the news.

I really don't like what's converging at the minute. Warnings of attacks in Saudi, plus warnings of bio attacks. Also, the planned activities in Jerusalem this weekend. I wonder whether al qaeda plans to hit America and launch a major offensive in Israel at the same time?

From Debka, not very reliable. See the first thread of the threat matrix for discussions of Debka! It's just interesting to see "what's out there".

Note: The following text is an exact quote:
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http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20050812.txt

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
August 7, 2005
Release Number: 05-08-12

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OPERATION ABLE WARRIOR NETS MORE THAN 40 TERRORISTS

BAGHDAD, Iraq - Task Force Baghdad Soldiers conducted Operation Able Warrior to defeat terror cells operating west of the Baghdad International Airport in the early morning hours of Aug. 4.

In less than three hours, Soldiers from 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment, 48th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division conducted a series of simultaneous attacks and captured 41 suspected terrorists, including three foreign fighters.

“We went out and did what we set out to do - this was a picture-perfect mission,” said Lt. Col. Steve McCorkle, commander of 2nd Bn., 121st Inf. Reg. from Warner Robins, Ga.

Operation Able Warrior was conducted in order to disrupt car bombing cells and roadside bomb emplacers, and prevent them from planning, preparing and carrying out terrorist attacks in the area.

“We want to set the Iraq Army up for success. This operation will help the Iraqi Security Forces take more control of the day-to-day operations,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Carden, a spokesperson for the 48th BCT and resident of Americus, Ga.

-30-

Note: The following text is an exact quote:
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http://www.centcom.mil/CENTCOMNews/News_Release.asp?NewsRelease=20050811.txt

NEWS RELEASE
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND
7115 South Boundary Boulevard
MacDill AFB, Fla. 33621-5101
Phone: (813) 827-5894; FAX: (813) 827-2211; DSN 651-5894
August 7, 2005
Release Number: 05-08-11

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

1/11th ACR DESTROYS TERROR CELL, FINDS WEAPON CASHES

ABU GHRAIB, Iraq — In the 48 hours spanning Aug. 3 and 4, Soldiers of 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 256th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division conducted a series of raids to nab key planners of terrorist attacks and to seize weapons and bomb-making materials in Abu Ghraib, a western province of Baghdad.

The Soldiers captured four suspected terrorists, discovered five weapons caches, and confiscated more than $2,000 in U.S. currency.

Beginning at 8:30 p.m. on Aug. 3, Soldiers from B Troop, 1/11th ACR searched five locations in the Khandari district, where they detained one terrorist who positively identified three other members of his cell after he was captured.

The unit also unearthed two weapons caches shortly before midnight.

The first cache consisted of a mortar tube with more than 50 mortar rounds, a rocket-propelled grenade launcher with two grenades and a sighting device, and a recoilless rifle with a tripod mount. The Soldiers also found 100 feet of detonation cord, 100 blasting caps and a videotape.

Twenty minutes later, the U.S. Soldiers found another weapons cache which contained $2,200 in U.S. currency, four hand grenades and a cell phone wired to a bomb detonation device.

The four terror suspects were taken into custody for questioning.

The first detainee also told the U.S. Soldiers about the location of an already-emplaced roadside bomb. A U.S. explosives ordnance disposal team located and destroyed the bomb.

Soldiers from 1/11th ACR carried out several missions to arrest terrorists and uncover their logistical bases in Abu Ghraib as part of Operation Thunder Cat, conducted by 256th BCT.

Since July, 1/11th ACR has uncovered more than five major cache sites and has arrested 28 terrorists working as part of terror cells conducting attacks against both Coalition Forces and Iraqi Security Forces.

“The discovery of these caches and detainment of the individuals associated with it has dealt a serious blow to the terrorists operating in Abu Ghraib,” said Maj. Brian Robertson, squadron executive officer, from Wilkesboro, N.C. “This success is a direct result of the persistence and hard work of the troopers of Bravo Troop and 1/11th ACR.”

-30-

Note: The following text is an exact quote:
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http://www.defenselink.mil/news/Aug2005/20050808_2370.html

Combined Coalition, Iraqi Operations Disrupt Terrorists

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Aug. 8, 2005 – Multinational Corps Iraq operations continue to place pressure on terrorist operations in Iraq, with coalition and Iraqi security forces conducting more than 182 combined and independent offensive operations throughout the country since late July.
Results from operations conducted between July 30 and Aug. 5 include the discovery and clearance of 109 improvised explosive devices and 32 caches; the capture of 805 insurgent fighters, with the subsequent detention of 493; and the death or capture of 11 foreign fighters.

"These are great successes for the coalition and Iraqi security forces. The terrorists' command and control will continue to deteriorate as the coalition forces continue to pressure terrorists and disrupt their operations network," Col. Jessie Farrington, MNCI chief of operations, said.

Highlights of operations from Aug. 6 and 7 include:

In Mosul, coalition forces detained two individuals for handing out terrorist propaganda. The two individuals revealed the location of their source and, during a resulting raid, Iraqi police killed one terrorist later confirmed to be a Syrian national. In a combined raid, coalition and Iraqi security forces captured three men connected to terror leader Abbass Fadhel Zangana.
Near Hit, Iraqi Intervention Forces and U.S. Marines captured three terrorists in a truck towing another vehicle modified as a car bomb.
In Haqlaniyah, coalition forces destroyed a booby-trapped house that contained improvised explosive devices.
In Baghdad, coalition forces captured a car bomb and four terrorists who were involved in a car-bomb cell. Iraqi forces captured ten members of a terrorist cell in Sadr City.
In other developments, Iraqi army soldiers and coalition forces captured suspected insurgents in a targeted search Aug. 7 in Rawah, Iraq, according to a Multinational Force Iraq report.
Elements of U.S. Army Task Force 2-14 and soldiers from 3rd Battalion, 1st Brigade, 1st Iraqi Intervention Force, detained four suspected insurgents during the operation. The suspects included one Syrian man, one Sudanese man, a former Rawah police officer, and a civilian. The Sudanese man was in possession of an expired passport.

In Fallujah, Iraqi army soldiers found and eliminated improvised explosive devices while conducting search operations Aug. 6, according to a MNFI report.

Soldiers with the 2nd Battalion, 2nd Brigade, 1st Iraqi Intervention Force, discovered an IED while on a dismounted patrol. The IED consisted of one 130 mm artillery round enclosed in a white burlap bag with a car-alarm receiver, a washing machine timer, and a battery. The area was secured and the IED was disarmed and removed for later disposal.

Elsewhere, Iraqi army soldiers found IEDs in Rawah and Mugdadiyah. In Rawah, soldiers raided a building and found one 120 mm artillery round and two pounds of propellant. Two suspected insurgents were detained.

In Mugdadiyah, a patrol located one 155 mm artillery round and an unknown initiation device. An Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal team removed the IED.

No injuries or damages were reported during the operations.

In other news from Iraq, Iraqi security forces and coalition forces conducted a combined raid on a location known to be manufacturing car bombs Aug. 7 in Baghdad.

An Iraqi SWAT team and a coalition support unit discovered two vehicles in a carport partially wired as suicide car bombs. Both vehicles had holes cut in the dashboard exposing detonators with wire connections to the trunk and under the hood. Four male suspects were detained.

Elsewhere in Baghdad, Iraqi police and elements of the U.S. Army's 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, located a possible car bomb on a roadway. The dark blue, four-door sedan was secured, and the immediate area was cleared. An Iraqi explosive ordnance disposal team confirmed the presence of explosives and conducted a controlled detonation.

No injuries or damages were reported during the operations.

(Compiled from Multinational Force Iraq and Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq news releases.)

Related Sites:
Multinational Force Iraq
Multinational Security Transition Command Iraq

Heard this on the radio a few minutes ago. Sorry if it's been posted already:

MAN IN TERROR DATABASE ARRESTED

Pakistani citizen came up on list during traffic stop in Pikesville; Officials say he isn't a likely threat; N.Y. man faces charges of selling fake immigration documents

By Matthew Dolan, Anica Butler and Siobhan Gorman
Sun Staff

Originally published August 9, 2005

A Pakistani citizen whose name surfaced in a terrorism-related database after he was picked up in a routine traffic stop in Baltimore County will face federal charges this morning of selling fake immigration documents, officials said.

Muhammad Asif Haider, 27, of New York City remained in federal custody yesterday awaiting his hearing in U.S. District Court in Baltimore.

The arrest late Sunday night marked the second time in less than a week that federal authorities have detained suspects from the Baltimore region as part of their anti-terrorism efforts. Law enforcement officials said the two cases appear to be unrelated.

Haider was listed in the FBI's Violent Gang and Terrorist Organization file, according to law enforcement officials, but it was unclear why.

"We're not going to comment on the watch-list issue," said Heather Tasker, a spokeswoman for the U.S. attorney's office for the Southern District of New York.

But officials privately downplayed the significance of his arrest, saying that they didn't believe he posed a likely terrorist threat. The immigration fraud indictment issued in New York against Haider makes no mention of terrorism or terrorism-related activities.

Haider's arrest came Sunday at 10:43 p.m. when a Baltimore County police officer stopped a 1994 black Lincoln Town Car with Maryland plates. Police said the car had its lights off as it left a gas station on Reisterstown Road between Village Road and Interstate 695 in Pikesville.

Approaching the car, the officer asked the driver for identification. When the driver couldn't produce any, the officer sought identification from his two passengers, one in front and one in the rear, police said.

Using a computer in his patrol car, the officer checked the two men in the National Criminal Information Center and the state motor vehicle registry.

He received a "hit" on Haider, the back-seat passenger, said Sgt. Vickie Warehime, a county police spokeswoman.

The officer found that Haider was wanted on a federal warrant and was on the terrorist "watch list," Warehime said. All three were taken to the Woodlawn precinct. The driver, Talmur Khawaa, 19, of the 6700 block of Graceland Ave. in Baltimore, was given a warning for driving without his headlights on and a citation for failing to produce his license on demand, Warehime said.

Khawaa was released, along with the other passenger.

On Aug. 3, Haider was indicted by a federal grand jury, accused of committing immigration fraud between July 2002 and May 2003 with at least three other men in and around New York City.

According to the indictment, Haider, using the alias Asif Iqbal, first met with an undercover law enforcement agent in Queens, N.Y., in December 2002. At that meeting and in subsequent meetings, he allegedly took a total of more than $6,000 as payment for providing false Social Security numbers and fake green cards.

It is likely that Haider's immigration case will be transferred back to New York after today's hearing, prosecutors said. His attorney did not return a call for comment.

Jim Pettit, a spokesman for the Governor's Office of Homeland Security, which oversees the Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center, cautioned against assuming Haider is also wanted in conjunction with a terrorism investigation.

The officer who stopped Haider notified the analysis center, which in turn checked with the FBI's Terrorist Screening Center, Pettit said. The screening center found a "hit" on the National Criminal Information Center Database and others.

Pettit said checking with the FBI center is "standard practice" for calls that come into the state center. He said police officers tend to call the state center, which was launched in 2003, when "something looks out of the ordinary."

Each name on the screening center's list carries a code to instruct the police officer on the street. This time, the instruction was to arrest Haider, Pettit said.

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/local/bal-md.list09aug09,1,3026158.story?coll=bal-local-headlines