http://wcbstv.com/local/fbi.raid.queens.2.1183160.html
Residents in Queens were witness to an FBI raid Monday morning, as agents flooded the area looking for explosives. Neighbors stood by as a large group of FBI agents and NYPD detectives converged on an apartment building as point of a joint terrorist task force.
“It’s very rare that you see them around here,” neighbor Ron Bonett said.
Those who were there say it was a blitzkrieg at about 2 a.m. at an address on 41st Avenue near 144th Street.
The door to apartment 530 cannot be closed because agents had to ram it open.
One of the men who lives in the apartment, who says he was not a target of the search, says he’s a self-employed antique dealer.
“They looking for some powder, some different things for making bombs and different things,” resident Assad Niazi said.
In fact, the federal search warrant spelled out all manner of possible bomb-making components, including powders, gels, TNT, and fuses.
“I don’t know [the other residents],” Niazi said. “They are roommates - they go to work in the morning, and at night they come back.”
He says the place was thoroughly searched, and a kitchen radiator was even dismantled. The resident says papers were removed from the apartment, but he says the other residents were questioned and released.
The building’s superintendent, Ramiz Berisha, says those who were questioned are Pakistani.
At this point, officials would not say exactly what, if anything, the search yielded.
Police say several people were questioned, but that no arrests have been made.
I thought they might be more members of the Weather Underground.
ping to 35
“Queens homes raided as part of terrorism investigation confirms NYPD”
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Monday, September 14th 2009, 4:09 PM
SNIPPET: “Authorities have not found any weapons ready for use — such as a bomb — that would indicate an attack was imminent, they said. Nevertheless, one of the officials called the threat very real and emphasized the urgency of the threat.
Another person briefed on the matter, who was not authorized to discuss the case and requested anonymity, said the raids were the result of previous law enforcement surveillance of individuals.”
The “resident” Niazi is the same last name of Osama Bin Ladin’s brother in law that teh Feds picked up (and released) in Tustin California earlier this year.
Adding to post no. 35...wondering how common the last name Niazi is?
http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/niazi/index?tab=articles
“I don’t know [the other residents],” Niazi said. “They are roommates - they go to work in the morning, and at night they come back.”
Does that sound ridiculous? This guy lives in an apartment with someone who is being investigated and says ‘I don’t know him’.
Buddy, you really need to know more about your roommates.
Ping to #35
“The building’s superintendent, Ramiz Berisha, says those who were questioned are Pakistani.”