Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: csvset; Cindy; SE Mom; HollyB; Rushmore Rocks; All

Feds probe alleged terrorists who tried to rent giant truck in suspected Al Qaeda bomb plot

BY James Gordon Meek In Washington, Judith Crosson In Denver, Kate Nocera, Rocco Parascandola and Larry Mcshane
DAILY NEWS WRITERS

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/09/19/2009-09-19_terror_try_was_the_wheel_deal_crew_looked_to_rent_truck__key_player_eyes_plea_de.html?page=0

Investigators probed a failed Queens truck rental for ties to a possible Al Qaeda bomb plot yesterday as a chief terror suspect tried making a deal to save his skin.

The New York end of the expanding federal probe centered on seven Afghan men who tried to rent the biggest truck at a Queens U-Haul on Sept. 9, sources told the Daily News.

The size of the vehicle involved - a 26-foot-long truck - suggested the conspirators wanted to pack it with explosives, sources said.

A police source acknowledged there was “quite a bit that we weren’t completely sure of” about the plot or the role of Najibullah Zazi, the bearded public face of the terrorism investigation.

(snip)

Attorney General Eric Holder said the probe had spread beyond Denver, home to the alleged terror cell, and New York City.

“The FBI is working this case around the clock in both cities and in other parts of the country,” he said.

The truck rental bid failed when none of the men could produce a valid credit card. All refused to surrender the identification needed to pay cash, the manager of the Flushing U-Haul said.

(snip)

The feds turned up at the U-Haul in Jamaica around 11 a.m. Thursday as authorities continued tailing and interviewing suspects linked to the reputed Denver cell.

At least three Afghan men - including Ahmad Afzali, a Queens imam identified by a U-Haul employee as one of the would-be renters - were questioned in New York by FBI and Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents, sources said.

And at least a dozen people remained under round-the-clock surveillance in the case.

U-Haul workers also identified Naiz Kahn, who has said he gave Zazi a place to stay during his visit to New York last week.

(snip)

The Department of Homeland Security sent a note to police last night to remain alert.

“While DHS and FBI have no information regarding the timing, location or target of any planned attack, we believe it is prudent to remind transit authorities to remain vigilant,” it said.

(snip)

Authorities, despite all the activity, had not yet made an arrest four days after NYPD raids on several locations in Queens.

(snip)


382 posted on 09/19/2009 10:50:01 AM PDT by Uncle Ike (Rope is cheap, and there are lots of trees...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 381 | View Replies ]


To: Uncle Ike; All

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32927090/ns/us_news-security/

Man in terror probe skips FBI questioning
Airport shuttle driver needed to spend day with lawyer, spokeswoman says

DENVER - A man under investigation in a terrorism probe in New York and Colorado did not report for a fourth day of FBI questioning Saturday so he could spend a much-needed day with his attorney, the attorney’s spokeswoman said.

Najibullah Zazi had been scheduled to go to the Federal Building in Denver on Saturday. But Wendy Aiello, a spokeswoman for Zazi’s defense team, told The Associated Press that Zazi and his attorney contacted the FBI to cancel the meeting.

“They are meeting as client and attorney to review the case and the entire situation,” Aiello said. “Further meetings with the FBI are not being ruled out.”

(snip)


384 posted on 09/19/2009 2:28:47 PM PDT by Uncle Ike (Rope is cheap, and there are lots of trees...)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 382 | View Replies ]

To: Uncle Ike

Thank you Uncle Ike, the story isn’t over yet.


388 posted on 09/19/2009 3:12:36 PM PDT by HollyB
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 382 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson