I wonder what "terrorism-related" evidence they have, though...is it just tax/commerce stuff? Is there an established link that these are "clean men" to provide funds or components for others?
"It's a very complex situation that involves interstate as well as international activity."
International? We may never know.
Having 1000 cell phones is as good as having 1000 guns in the hands of terrorists. I would say the supply of remote detonators is drying up so the terror network is purchasing detonators where they are easily purchased. This defines a new kind of plot involving explosive devices on a grand scale. Follow the money trail and find the perps. This is good police work that involves vigilant citizens looking for suspicious activity by people that fit terrorist nationality profiles.
But then and again, perhaps they were buying phones for the "family talk plan" since the culture of terror also has large familys.