Threat Matrix: July 2007

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Threat Matrix:
July 2007

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US Steps Up Security Following Attack in Britain

Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff made appearances on several television talk shows.

He told ABC's This Week program there is no indication of a linkage between the events in Britain and any specific attacks on the United States. "We do not have, at this point, specific, credible intelligence that there is an attack, a particular attack, focused on this country," he said.

But at the same time, speaking on CNN's Late Edition program, Chertoff said U.S. authorities are concerned about the threat of terrorism, especially in the coming months. "We have had a number of al-Qaida leaders quite publicly talking about how they want to carry out their threats against the West. So, given that and given the history that we have had over past summers, with attacks in Britain, I think we were clearly focused on this as a possibility," he said. Full story...

	More United Kingdom Attacks Possible
	More US Air Marshals on Flights to Europe
	Officials: Car Bomb Plot Bears al Qaida's Trademark

[BurbankKarl]

Even one dirty bomb will bring a city to its knees.

LA has a national guard or reserve unit tasked with this...and I dont even think they are fully staffed, etc.

[Cindy]

Thank you nw.

ADDING links to your post no. 2044:

http://www.tsa.gov

http://www.tsa.gov/press/releases/index.shtm

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.tsa.gov/press/happenings/intelligence_bulletin.shtm

TSA Statement Regarding Intelligence Bulletin on Suspicious Incidents at U.S. Airports
News & Happenings

News media has obtained a routine TSA intelligence bulletin relating to suspicious incidents at U.S. airports. While this bulletin is not classified nor does it contain secret material, it is for official use only and is commonly shared with law enforcement partners, Federal Air Marshals and our transportation security officer workforce. There is no intelligence that indicates a specific or credible threat to the homeland.

During the past six months TSA has produced more than 90 unclassified bulletins of this nature on a wide variety of security-related subjects. We constantly feed intelligence and training information to our officers and the law enforcement community and this is one example of such information sharing.

Everyday, TSA senior officials review intelligence information with the intent to provide as much information as possible to our front line officers, air marshals and our law enforcement partners.

[Cindy]

http://www.truthusa.com/IRAN.html

#

http://www.jihadwatch.org/archives/017512.php

July 24, 2007
“US tells of ‘heated exchange’ in rare Iran talks”

SNIPPET: “Said U.S. ambassador Ryan Crocker: “We are here to let them know we know what they are doing and it needs to stop.””

By P. Parameswaran for Agence France-Presse:
WASHINGTON (AFP)

[Cindy]

http://www.fbi.gov/page2/july07/newyork_intel072307.htm

“INTELLIGENCE INFUSION
A New Day in New York, Part 2”
07/23/07

#

Previously...

http://www.fbi.gov/page2/july07/newyork_intel071607.htm

“TRACKING TERROR THREATS
A New Day in New York, Part 1”
07/16/07

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=gangs
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=gang
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=ms13

#

July 23, 2007

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://baltimore.fbi.gov/dojpressrel/pressrel07/ba072307.htm

MS-13 GANG MEMBER SENTENCED TO 37 YEARS IN PRISON
MS-13 Racketeering Activity Included Six Murders in Maryland and One in Virginia

Greenbelt, Maryland - U.S. District Judge Deborah K. Chasanow sentenced Oscar Ramos Velasquez, age 22, of Baltimore, today to 37 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release for conspiracy to commit murder in aid of racketeering, conspiracy to participate in a racketeering enterprise and conspiracy to commit assaults with a deadly weapon in order to maintain and increase his position in MS-13, assault with a deadly weapon in aid of racketeering and use of a firearm in relation to a crime of violence, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein said, “The RICO statute allows us to prosecute gang members in federal court for the activities of the criminal organization they chose to join. This sentence should serve as a warning to young people who are tempted to join gangs like MS-13, that you may pay for that decision for the rest of your life. Federal, state and local authorities will continue to work together to combat violent gangs in Maryland.”

Special Agent in Charge Gregory K. Gant of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives stated, ATF and our task force partners will continue to investigate violent gangs that bring fear and devastation into our communities. This sentence should send a message to any violent gang member that your acts of violence may have earned you a membership in MS-13, but they will also earn you accommodations inside a prison cell.”

A federal jury convicted Velasquez and co-defendant Edgart Alberto Ayala, age 29 of Suitland, Maryland, in November, 2006, after a six week trial. According to testimony at the trial, the defendants conspired to operate an MS-13 enterprise in Prince George’s and Montgomery Counties through a pattern of racketeering activity which included six murders in Maryland and one in Virginia; the use of deadly weapons including firearms, baseball bats, machetes, bottles or knives in the commission of numerous murders, attempted murders and assaults; assaults on an MS-13 gang member from El Salvador, juvenile females and rival gang members; kidnapping; robbery; obstruction of justice and witness tampering.

Trial testimony showed that Velasquez and other MS-13 gang members possessed a deadly weapon while he sexually assaulted two juvenile females at a “skipping party” on May 12, 2003; and assaulted rival gang members outside a nightclub in Langley Park, Maryland on September 17, 2004.

Ayala was sentenced to 35 years in prison on June 1, 2007.

To date, this office has charged 42 gang members with various federal offenses, with 30 defendants charged in this RICO conspiracy case. Fourteen MS-13 gang members have been convicted thus far in this RICO conspiracy case. Jose Hipolito Cruz Diaz, a/k/a “Pirana,” age 28, of Lanham, Maryland; Omar Vasquez, a/k/a “Duke,” age 28; and Henry Zelaya, age 20 were convicted at trial on April 27, 2007 and face life in prison at their sentencings on August 10, 2007, August 6, 2007 and July 30, 2007, respectively. Nine defendants, all of Maryland, have pleaded guilty.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein praised the RAGE Task Force, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; the Prince George’s County Police Department; the Federal Bureau of Investigation; U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement; the Montgomery County Department of Police; the Howard County Police Department; the Maryland National Capital Park Police; the Maryland State Police; and the Fairfax County, Virginia Police Department for their investigative work.
Mr. Rosenstein thanked Prince George’s County State’s Attorney Glenn F. Ivey, Montgomery County State’s Attorney John McCarthy, and Fairfax County, Virginia, Commonwealth’s Attorney Robert F. Horan, Jr., for the assistance that they and their offices have provided.

Mr. Rosenstein commended Assistant U.S. Attorneys Sandra Wilkinson, James Trusty and Chan Park, Prince George’s County Assistant State’s Attorney Laura Gwinn, and Trial Attorney David Jaffe, a prosecutor for the Justice Department’s Gang Squad, who are prosecuting these cases.

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/070723dallas.htm

July 23, 2007

ICE-led local enforcement operation arrests 121 gang members and associates

These latest arrests under Operation Community Shield represent members of 27 local street gangs

DALLAS — Federal agents with the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office here, in partnership with other federal and local law enforcement agencies, arrested 121 violent street gang members during a seven-day local enforcement action that ended early Sunday morning.

These are the latest arrests under an ICE program called “Operation Community Shield,” a comprehensive ongoing national initiative launched in February 2005 to disrupt and dismantle violent street gangs in the United States. Operation Community Shield takes advantage of ICE’s immigration and customs authorities in a combined, national campaign against street gang members, many of whom are aliens and are eligible for deportation.

Nationally, these efforts have resulted in the arrest of more than 4,500 members of 532 different gangs. Those arrested under Operation Community Shield are either prosecuted criminally or removed from the country through immigration proceedings.

Those arrested during this latest Operation Community Shield action include members of the following 27 local street gangs: 18th St., 28th St., Asian Boyz, Brown Pride, Diamond Hill, Eastside Homeboys, Eastside Locos, FTH, Fort Worth 28 Pride, How High Crew, Junior Homeboyz, Latin Kings, Love Field Players, Mexican Klan Locos, Mexican Mafia, MS-13, Neighborhood Crips, Northside Friends, Northside Locos, Puro Loco Mexicanos, Puro Tango Blast, Riverside 13, Sureno 13, True Bud Smokers, Valgos 18, Varrio Northside and Westside 12.

“Working in close partnership with federal and local law enforcement agencies, we removed from our communities many fugitive criminals and violent street gang members,” said John Chakwin Jr., special agent-in-charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Dallas. “Since most of these gang members illegally reside in the United States, they are also being processed for deportation. Some have already been returned to their countries of origin.”

U.S. Attorney Richard B. Roper, Northern District of Texas, said, “Operation Community Shield has a proven track record in finding and arresting illegal aliens who are members of dangerous street gangs. Last week’s operation by federal and local law enforcement once again proves the effectiveness of collaborative law enforcement. My office will evaluate and prosecute to the fullest extent of the law those cases that are referred to us.” Roper continued, “Our communities deserve to live free from the fear of violent gangs, and the Department of Justice’s bold anti-gang strategy is working to prevent gang membership, prosecute gang violence, and prepare offenders to return to society and resist the allure of gang activity.”

Some of those arrested had active warrants for their arrest. Still others are being presented to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for federal prosecution for re-entering the United States after having already been deported, which is a felony punishable by up to 20 years in prison.

Some of the crimes associated with the gang members arrested during this local operation include: Murder, sexually assaulting a child, robbery, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated robbery, possessing a controlled substance, manufacturing a controlled substance, unlawfully carrying a weapon, engaging in organized criminal activity, burglary of a building, evading arrest, and resisting arrest.

ICE partnerships with law enforcement

Law enforcement partnerships are critical to the success of Operation Community Shield. Collaboration in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex begins when ICE agents receive data from law enforcement agencies about violent gang members in the area. ICE then conducts further investigation to determine if any of these suspects are subject to arrest for federal customs or immigration violations. After identifying targets subject to ICE authorities, ICE collaborates with local police and associated federal agencies to jointly conduct a local operation that leads to arresting street gang members and their associates. Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex law enforcement agencies that participated in this latest ICE Operation Community Shield action include: the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Northern District of Texas; the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS); the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); the FBI; the Federal Bureau of Prisons (BoP); Fort Worth Police Department; Dallas Police Department; Irving Police Department; Farmers Branch Police Department; Arlington Police Department; and Wichita Falls Police Department.

About Operation Community Shield

Operation Community Shield is a national law enforcement initiative that partners ICE with other federal, state and local law enforcement, combining resources, authorities and expertise in an effort to target members of violent street gangs. Operation Community Shield was launched in February 2005 after a threat assessment by all ICE field offices identified “Mara Salvatrucha” (MS-13) as one of the largest and most violent street gangs in the country. The assessment found that most gang members were foreign-born, in the United States illegally, had prior criminal convictions, and/or were involved in crimes that made them subject to ICE’s broad immigration and customs authorities.

Under this initiative, ICE works to:

Identify violent gangs and develop intelligence on their members, associates and organizations.
Deter, disrupt and dismantle gang operations by tracing and seizing their cash, weapons and other assets
Criminally prosecute or remove gang members from the United States.
Partner with other law enforcement agencies at the local, state and federal level – both in the United States and abroad – to develop a “force multiplier” effect in investigations and other law enforcement actions against gangs.
Conduct outreach efforts to boost public awareness about the fight against violent gangs.

— ICE —

[Cindy]

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.mnf-iraq.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=13013&Itemid=128

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RELEASE No. 20070724-08
July 24, 2007

Al-Qaeda cell leader killed, seven insurgents detained near Karmah
Multi-National Corps – Iraq PAO

FALLUJAH, Iraq – Iraqi Security Forces killed a senior member of an al Qaeda in Iraq cell and seven suspected insurgents were detained following a series of early-morning raids at a terrorist training camp July 23.

With Coalition Forces present as advisers, Iraqi Security Forces cleared a series of buildings located on an abandoned Iraqi Army base in the Hamrah Region northeast of Karmah. Iraqi Security Forces were engaged by an enemy shooter at one of their objectives. An assault team moved to positively identify the shooter, a senior al Qaeda cell member, and lethal force was used to eliminate the threat. Various rifles, pictures and identification cards were also seized during the operation.

The abandoned base is purportedly being used as a training facility and safe house for active insurgents, foreign fighters, and weapons. Several insurgent groups from Fallujah and other Western Iraq cities are suspected to use the facility for small arms training and other activities.

The death of the senior member and detainment of the other insurgents will greatly inhibit al Qaeda in Iraq activities.

No Iraqi or Coalition Forces were injured during this operation.

-30-

[Cindy]

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1871193/posts

China gathers intelligence on potential troublemakers at Olympics
International Herald Tribune ^ | July 24, 2007 | The Associated Press

Posted on 07/24/2007 11:11:37 PM PDT by americanophile

BEIJING: The Chinese intelligence services are gearing up for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, gathering information on foreigners who might mount protests and spoil China’s moment in the spotlight, according to security experts and a consultant familiar with the effort.

Government spy agencies and study groups are compiling lists of potentially troublesome foreign organizations, looking beyond the human rights groups long critical of Beijing, they say.

These foreigners include evangelical Christians eager to end China’s religious restrictions, activists wanting Beijing to use its oil-buying leverage with Sudan to end the strife in Darfur and environmental campaigners.

(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=israel
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=kenya

#

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3429574,00.html

Kenyan tourists suspected of infiltrating into Israel

Published: 07.25.07, 09:38 / Israel News

The police have begun searching for 16 Kenyan tourists who arrived in Israel for a guided tour in Nazareth on Tuesday. During the tour, the tourists disappeared, and upon being searched, their bags were found to be empty.

The police suspect the “tourists” are illegal infiltrators and the incident was reported to the Kenyan Embassy and the immigration police. (Sharon Roffe-Ofir)

[Cindy]

http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?c=JPArticle&cid=1184766054510&pagename=JPost%2FJPArticle%2FShowFull

Jul. 24, 2007 20:42 | Updated Jul. 25, 2007 5:11
“Channel 10 crew sneaks into Gaza”
By JPOST.COM STAFF

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “The IDF closed Sufa Crossing on Tuesday after a Channel 10 crew managed to bypass Israeli security, cross into the Gaza Strip and interview several Palestinians.”

[Cindy]

http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ISL225872.htm

“German journalist feared kidnapped in Afghan east”
25 Jul 2007 06:32:38 GMT
Source: Reuters

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “ASADABAD, Afghanistan, July 25 (Reuters) - A German journalist and his Afghan translator are feared to have been kidnapped in Afghanistan’s eastern province of Kunar, a provincial spokesman said on Wednesday.”

[Cindy]

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_923.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Wed Jul 25 2007 00:07:27 GMT-0700.

KENYA

February 06, 2007

[Cindy]

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_2121.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Wed Jul 25 2007 00:08:44 GMT-0700.

AFGHANISTAN

April 04, 2007

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=christianpersecution
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=antichristian

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=globaljihad
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=jihad
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=taliban
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=taleban

#

Note: The following post is a quote:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1871210/posts

Afghanistan - Taliban spokesman says militants to kill “a few” South Korean hostages
Associated Press (excerpt) ^ | July 25, 2007

Posted on 07/25/2007 12:43:45 AM PDT by HAL9000

KANDAHAR, Afghanistan: A purported Taliban spokesman said Wednesday that negotiations for the lives of 23 South Korean hostages have stalled and that the militants planned to kill “a few” of the captives immediately.
Qari Yousef Ahmadi, who claims to speak for the militants, said the Afghan government hadn’t responded to any of its demands and that between 11:30 a.m. (0700 GMT) and 2 p.m. (0930 GMT) the militants would kill “a few” of the hostages.

~ snip ~

(Excerpt) Read more at iht.com ...

[Cindy]

http://media.bonnint.net/apimage/46239a59-9d7b-4823-a257-b972c4bb7f3a.jpg
PHOTO CAPTION: “Chinese-Mexican businessman Zhenli Ye Gon is interviewed in his lawyer’s office in Queens, N.Y., in this Thursday, May 17, 2007 file photo. Mexican federal officials said on Monday, July 23, 2007, that alleged drug trafficker Zhenli Ye Gon, who is tied to the largest seizure of drug cash in world history, has been arrested in Rockville, Maryland. He is wanted in Mexico on organized crime, drug trafficking and weapons charges and Mexican officials have requested his arrest for extradition. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)”

http://www.wtop.com/?nid=598&sid=1198119

“Alleged Drug Trafficker Arrested in Md.”
July 24, 2007 - 9:06am

By IOAN GRILLO
Associated Press Writer

ARTICLE SNIPPET: “MEXICO CITY (AP) - U.S. federal agents have arrested a Mexico City businessman wanted in connection with one of the Western Hemisphere’s largest trafficking rings for the main chemical ingredient in methamphetamine.

Zhenli Ye Gon was arrested in a Maryland restaurant Monday evening, four months after police discovered $207 million at his Mexico City mansion in what U.S. officials have called the world’s biggest seizure of drug cash.”

###
###

Note: The following text is a quote:

http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/pubs/states/newsrel/wdo072407.html

News Release [print-friendly page]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2007

Mexican Fugitive and Co-Conspirator Arrested on
U.S. Drug, Money Laundering Charges

JUL 24 — WASHINGTON – The owner of a pharmaceutical wholesale business based in Mexico City and a co-conspirator have been arrested in the United States on drug and money laundering charges, respectively, for allegedly conspiring to aid and abet the manufacturing of methamphetamine, knowing that it would be imported into the United States, the Department of Justice announced today.

“With the arrest of Zhenli Ye Gon, we’ve apprehended not only the man behind the money, but the man behind the meth. He may never have touched the drugs, but he made it all possible, facilitating the massive meth trade by brokering chemicals to kingpins,” said DEA Administrator Karen P. Tandy. “Ye Gon’s arrest demonstrates yet again the tremendous courage and commitment of Mexican law enforcement and the Calderón administration to destroy the meth trade.”

Agents and task force officers from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) arrested Zhenli Ye Gon in Wheaton , Md. , on July 23, 2007. A criminal complaint charged Ye Gon with conspiracy to aid and abet the manufacture of 500 grams or more of methamphetamine, knowing that it would be imported into the United States . Ye Gon is scheduled to be presented before the U.S. Magistrate Court for the District of Columbia for his initial appearance later today. On March 15, 2007, Mexican law enforcement officials executed a search warrant on a residence of Ye Gon’s and discovered more than $205 million in U.S. currency.

Ye Gon owned and operated a pharmaceutical wholesale business based in Mexico City , Mexico . The criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia alleges that from December 2005 until March 2007, Ye Gon conspired with methamphetamine manufacturers who imported methamphetamine into the United States by diverting precursor chemicals to those drug manufacturing and trafficking organizations.

Ye Gon’s alleged co-conspirator, Michelle Wong, was arrested in the Las Vegas area. Wong was charged with conspiracy to commit money laundering and engaging in monetary transactions in property derived from specified unlawful activity.

The complaint alleges that from December 2005 until March 2007, Wong conspired with and aided Ye Gon by knowingly laundering large amounts of drug proceeds, including U.S. currency. Wong is scheduled to appear before a U.S. magistrate judge for the District of Nevada later today.

These matters will be prosecuted by attorneys assigned to the Narcotic and Dangerous Drug Section (NDDS) and the Asset Forfeiture and Money Laundering Section (AFMLS) of the Criminal Division. The investigation in this case was led by the DEA and Mexican law enforcement units. Ye Gon is a fugitive of the Mexican government stemming from charges brought against him in that country.

[Cindy]

ON THE ‘NET:

www.al-ekhlaas.net/
www.al-ekhlaas.net/forum

[Cindy]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=hamas

#

http://counterterrorismblog.org/2007/07/tribunes_former_public_editor.php

“Tribune’s Former Public Editor: Hamas Operative Is An Asset To Chicago Community
By Steven Emerson
(July 24, 2007)

#

Previously...

http://counterterrorismblog.org/2007/07/hamas_mystery_media_representa.php

“Hamas’ Mystery Media Representative in the U.S.”
By Brian Hecht, IPT

(July 12, 2007

[Cindy]

http://internet-haganah.org/hmedia/27apr07/27apr07-salafy_forums.html

#

SNIPPET - QUOTE:

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP166207

Special Dispatch Series - No. 1662
July 24, 2007 No.1662

Webmaster of Islamist Forum Hosted by ISP in New Jersey Explains How Terrorist Attacks Advance Islamic Cause
On July 2, 2007, a participant on the Islamist forum www.al-ommh.net/vb calling himself “Al-Mustaqim” posted the following question [1]: “My brothers... I wish to hear your opinion about the London operation: [2] Did it advance our cause or [intensify] the anger against our ummah?”

The next day, the forum webmaster posted a reply in which he enumerated Britain’s “crimes” and explained how the operation benefited the Muslims.

Below are excerpts from his reply: [3]

[Cindy]

http://www.memritv.org
http://www.memri.org/jihad.html

http://memri.org/bin/articles.cgi?Page=subjects&Area=jihad&ID=SP166507

Special Dispatch Series - No. 1665
July 25, 2007 No.1665

“Islamists Websites Monitor No. 124”

SNIPPET: “Al-Qaeda in Algeria Announces Plan to Perpetrate Series of Terrorist Attacks, Warns the Muslims to Stay Away from Government Facilities to Avoid Getting Hurt”

[Cindy]

http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_929.html

Travel Warning
United States Department of State
Bureau of Consular Affairs
Washington, DC 20520

This information is current as of today, Wed Jul 25 2007 02:41:46 GMT-0700.

ALGERIA

March 22, 2007