This fascinating article is about how a Washington Post journalist found a suspect for whom there is a $5 million bounty in Yemen.
“Finding a Terror Suspect in Yemen,” Washington Post, May 16, 2008
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/05/16/AR2008051602389.html
See also
“Yemeni court orders FBI-wanted suspect arrested,” Monster and Critics, May 18, 2008
http://www.monstersandcritics.com/news/middleeast/news/article_1406029.php/Yemeni_court_o
The proffer in support of the guilty pleas of the defendants from Buffalo explained while at a guest house before going to the al-Farook camp, they “were shown, among other things, a movie about the destruction of the USS Cole, and how al-Qaeda committed that particular terrorist act.” “In their statements to the FBI, Defendants Alwan and Al-Bakri described the workings of the al-Farooq camp. Upon arrival at the camp or at the “guest house,” each individual began using code names. Green uniforms were worn everyday except Friday, when civilian clothes were worn so that the uniforms could be washed.” The New York Times had an excellent long and in-depth story about the young men from Buffalo. The article contained a startling account of the CIA’s capture of one defendant at his wedding. Because Al Qaeda operatives allegedly use the word “wedding” as code for event, the guy was hauled away from the altar in Bahrain on his wedding day.
The district court, in denying bail, recounted that one of the Buffalo defendants admitted to sending an e-mail, while visiting the Middle East, regarding a planned attack by al-Qaeda on Americans. The e-mail message, the “Big Meal” e-mail, was translated as follows:
“How are you my beloved, God willing you are fine. I would like to remind you of obeying God and keeping him in your heart because the next meal will be very huge. No one will be able to withstand it except those with faith. There are people here who had visions and their visions were explained that this thing will be very strong. No one will be able to bare [sic] it.”
The fellow who recruited the Buffalo boys, the late Mr. Derwish (a cruise missile targeted and hit the car he was in), was in contact with KSM’s nephew, Khallad (Attash). Khallad had a prosthetic leg. He had been the emir of a guesthouse in Kandahar and was Bin Laden’s assistant. Attash was at the January 2000 meeting in Kuala Lumpur (and planned the Cole bombing). Attash had intended to be part of 9/11 but, like Ramzi Binalshibh, was unsuccessful getting into the country. The 9/11 Commission Report notes that Khallad had grown up in Saudi Arabia where his father knew the Blind Sheikh. It was likely learning of that contact between Derwish and Attash that got the authorities, particularly the CIA, especially animated over the potential threat posed by the fact that the Buffalo fellows had spent some time in an Afghanistan training camp.
Jaber Elbaneh was being sought in connection with the case involving the young men from Buffalo. He had travelled to Afghanistan with them. There was up to a $5 million dollar reward for his capture before he was located and detained in Yemen. Agents Edward Needham and David Britten, of the Joint Terrorism Task Force of Western New York, believe Elbaneh may have returned briefly to Lackawanna but left for Yemen prior to the September 11, 2001. In June 2001, he had sold property he owned at 20-24 Wilkesbarre Ave., Jaber Elbaneh to Ahmed Umar for $15,000. The week before 9/11 (ending September 7, 2001), Jaber Elbaneh sold the property he co-owned a 28 Wilkesbarre Ave to a relative for $20,000. (He may have acted through his wife and apparently was not present for the closing.)
Elbaneh, 37, is the married father of 7 children. His uncle Albanna was the vice-President of the American Muslim Council of Western New York. In federal district court, his uncle faced felony charges that were filed against him in December 2002, alleging that he illegally sent money to Yemen. Albanna was interviewed on an excellent PBS documentary called “chasing the sleeper cell” and has denied any wrongdoing in the case. As for the reward offered for the capture of his nephew, Albanna commented:
“I’ve just spoken to his parents. They’re stunned. They’re resigned to the fact that they have no way of contacting him, and the U.S. government has all the power. They leave it in the hands of Allah. “
“Five million dollars is a lot of money. You could probably overturn a government in that part of the [world].”
Elbaneh’s uncle, Mohamed, said. “I can’t believe al-Qaeda would rely on somebody like Jaber. He’s a very timid man. He wouldn’t even pick up a pistol. He has seven children. . . . He is one of the most harmless people I’ve ever met.” Ahearn, U.S. Attorney Michael A. Battle and other law enforcement officials said they believe Elbaneh while in Yemen was associating with major al Qaeda figures.
The Buffalo News reports that before leaving the region, Elbaneh had worked for several years at Sorrento Cheese. Before that, he worked at a warehouse operated by his uncle, agents said. Ahmad Elbaneh of Holland Avenue, Jaber A. Elbaneh’s elderly father, said his son had rented a house in Sana and drove a taxi. “He went to Yemen for his children to put them in an Arabian school to learn about Islam,” his father said.
He has since been detained in Yemen, broken out of prison, been detained, been released, and as explained by the wonderful article in the Washington Post linked above, made 5 court appearances since having been released. Yemen officials had refused to extradite him but the newest headline today is that maybe the Yemeni judge has ordered him rearrested (again).
Sorrento is part of the Lactalis American Group, Inc. is the U.S. Operations of Groupe, Lactalis, which is a family owned dairy business, headquartered in Laval, France. Groupe Lactalis is the 2nd largest dairy company in the world with annual sales of $10.4 billion. All told (including its Lactalis USA operation), Groupe Lactalis produces 1.7 billion lbs. of cheese, 3.4 billion lbs. of milk for consumption, 660 million lbs. of fresh products and 610 million lbs. of butterfat and cream. It is one of the world’s largest processors of whey and lactose. It operates 122 plants (44 inside France, 78 outside in 16 countries).
The U.S. Operations of Lactalis American Group, Inc. consists of 3 operating companies: Sorrento Lactalis, Inc., Lactalis USA, Inc., and Mozzarella Fresca, Inc. LAG has 5 manufacturing plants: Buffalo, NY, Nampa, ID, Belmont, WI, Merrill, WI and Tipton, CA and 3 corporate offices: Buffalo, NY, Manhattan, NY, and Concord, CA. LAG total net sales for 2006 were $616 million.
The Dugway simulant used in the Canadian experiment reported September 10, 2001 that performed similar to the Daschle product (leaking before opening; immediately dispersing across the room) was made at a Wisconsin dairy processor. See Matsumoto’s Science article.
The January 2000 meeting attended by Attash was also an anthrax planning meeting.
Ayman named his program “curdled milk” (Zabadi). TrebleRebel and Ed have argued for a half decade about lactose particles.
Question: what did Elbaneh do at Sorrento? Why is there a $5 million reward for him? If he is cooperating with Yemeni intelligence (to their way of thinking) and not currently associating Al Qaeda leaders, why not leave him in peace so he can provide for his 7 children?