Posted on 06/27/2002 3:53:38 PM PDT by all4one
Al-Qaeda Threat in Philadelphia?
Philadelphia, PA June 27, 2002 — David Henry reports from the Action Newsroom.
An Action News investigation reveals that a chain of jewelry stores operating in the Delaware Valley is being investigated by the FBI for possible connections to the Al Qaeda terror network.
A series of raids were carried out yesterday in Philadelphia and across the state of Pennsylvania.
The stores are mostly kiosks in shopping malls operating under the name "Intrigue Jewelers." They are all owned by Pakistanis under franchise agreements with a company called Gold Concepts, based in Pennsacola, Florida.
Intrigue operates stores at malls in Philadelphia, Plymouth Meeting, Harrisburg, and Monroeville. Until recently, they also had a kiosk at the Lehigh Valley Mall near Allentown. Owners and employees of the Intrigue shops at the Gallery in Center City and at the Plymouth Meeting Mall were questioned yesterday by agents from the FBI and INS. An employee at the shops in the Monroeville Mall tells us he was detained for hours yesterday.
Tariq Hussain says his home was searched and his computer was taken. He says the FBI accused him of funneling money to Ossama bin Laden's terror network. He says they questioned him about a photo he took two years ago of the NASDAQ building in New York, but he doesn't know how they knew about the photo.
The man in the photos taken at the World Trade Center just days before the attacks also worked at the Intrigue Jewelry store at the Lehigh Valley Mall. Two days before the attacks Ashar Iqbal Butt came to a photo shop in the mall looking for the pictures. The clerk says Butt seemed anxious to get them.
He was picked up on September 12th and was later charged with entering the country on a false passport just a month before the attacks.
Action News has confirmed that yesterday's sweep is part of a nationwide investigation involving at least 60 jewelry outlets. The justice department confirms that a number of people have been detained for questioning, but no charges have been filed yet.
If these mall "souks" are everywhere supporting tango ops then what is next ? Apu's quickie mart's ? Guru Bob and his wife Spot's no-tell motel ? Mohhamad Al Jeddah's Cajun and Tex-Mex Emporium ?
My point being is we are infested with islamic idiots and if the good muslims don't get a handle on the bad muslims then they leave it up to common citizens who like me can't tell a good muslim from a bad muslim at CQB range......
Stay Safe, Stay equipped to handle what happens upon you and yours.........
One of the other businesses that I have noticed are being bought and run by Middle-Eastern types in the past few years are gas stations. I believe in free enterprise for all "Americans", but those people of questionable legal status should have all of their papers checked.
The illegals are setting-up cash businesses in our country to funnel the cash out. There is no question that the jewelry kiosks are just the tip of the iceberg. They have found a lucrative business where they own no actual property. Therefore, there would be less legal paperwork to fill-out, and no paper trail. They simply plunk down some cash and rent their spaces from the mall.
The owners of Quality Gold of Cincinnati Inc. have started up http://www.Ejewelry.com, a Web site that will enable more than a thousand small, independent jewelers around the country to sell their products online.
I think that one of the reasons the government has not had mass deportations, is we can better monitor those known sympathizers who are here already. The line from the Godfather movie "Keep you friends close and your enemies closer" seem appropriate.
I read something yesterday that said the military would be stepping-up fly-overs for the next few months over the major U.S. cities. The fact that this announcement has come so close to the July 4th holiday is telling.
However, I did find this:
About jewelers-services
After two years of research, surveys, and customer feedback, Quality Gold of Cincinnati, in conjunction with IBM’s Net.Commerce, is pleased to present to you - jewelers-services! jewelers-services is the Internet tool designed to work for YOU – the retail merchant.
jewelers-services is the only system of its kind in existence on the World Wide Web (WWW). Over $1,000,000 has been expended in the development of the jewelers-services program. The blending of the Quality Gold Organization and IBM’s global commerce technology, combined with the support, trust, and comfort of local retail affiliates, is certain to make jewelers-services number one in WWW jewelry commerce. Simply put, jewelers-services IS what doing business on the WWW ought to be. jewelers-services is representative of Quality Gold’s commitment to providing our customers with the tools to aid, preserve, service, and expand their retail customer base as more consumers participate in electronic commerce.
Please review the enclosed documents, literature, and frequently asked question (FAQ) sheets. I am certain that you will be as excited about jewelers-services as we have been during the two years of market research, retailer input, and development of this unique program. After reviewing the information, return your membership contract as soon as possible to reserve your name on jewelers-services. Afterwards, complete the remainder of the information, allowing time to accurately describe your business, as you would like it to appear on your web site. Please try to return the web site design materials within seven days. You will not be charged for your membership until your web site is established and operable on jewelers-services. Should you have further questions or require any assistance, please call us at 1-800-354-9833 and ask to speak to the jewelers-services division. Our trained staff is available to assist you.
I look forward to receiving your completed membership forms and reserving your place on jewelers-services today. Thank you once again for your past patronage and welcome to jewelers-services!
Sincerely,
Michael Langhammer
Vice President, Quality Gold of Cincinnati, Inc.
President,
jewelers-services, LLC.
jewelers-services is a registered domain and trademark
You must have a registered password to get any further information.
These stores are money-laundering operations. All this speculation about them being used to plant bombs in malls is, IMHO, off base. They are much more valuable for moving money under the government radar. Although they are probably going to receive an IRS rectal examination now that the FBI is on to them. They better have all their receipts.
Even Channel 6 Action News that first reported this story mentioned nothing about it today
Check the local papers .. Nothing about this story of the malls either
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