Brition arrested in 'terror missile' sting
A Briton has been arrested after a suspected plot to supply a lethal surface-to-air missile to terrorists.
It is thought the target may have been a commercial aircraft or the US President's personal aircraft.
Western intelligence officials have confirmed to the BBC it was a multinational sting operation, involving agents from the US, Russia and Britain.
It resulted in the arrest of a British arms dealer at Newark in New Jersey on Tuesday.
Officials say he successfully imported a Russian-made Igla missile into the US and believed he was selling it to an Muslim extremist.
But his buyer was an undercover FBI agent and the arms dealer's voice is heard on tape saying he wanted the missile to be used to shoot down a large passenger plane.
The Igla
Russian-made surface-to-air missile
4km range
Infra-red capability
believed to have been responsible for the shooting down last year in Chechnya of a Russian troop-carrying helicopter
The FBI have denied that the plane in question was Airforce One, the US President's official aircraft.
Although no actual terrorists are thought to have been involved in the operation, intelligence officials said it was a terrifying illustration of the vulnerability of Western nations to attack by extremists.
Over the last 15 months, there have been three foiled attempts by groups linked to al-Qaeda to shoot down planes carrying Western or Israeli passengers.
BBC correspondent Tom Mangold said the man bought one for $85,000 by corrupt middle management at a Russian factory and was promised another 50.
Old enemies really have joined hands
Tom Mangold
BBC
He said: "It may not have happened, but when the dealer says he wants to bring down Airforce One, it's pretty dispiriting."
He added the sting demonstrated "fantastic" cooperation between the US, Russia and Britain.
"Old enemies really have joined hands," he said.
Washington officials are remaining tight-lipped about the operation but admitted there had been an arrest.
MI5 and MI6 in London were involved with Russian secret services and the FBI.
Putin help
Russia detected the arms dealer five months ago in St Petersburg.
Russian President, Vladimir Putin, authorised for the FBI to have an undercover agent sent to Russia.
The arms dealer flew to New York on Sunday on a British Airways flight from Heathrow Airport in London.
But he was followed on to the plane and kept under surveillance until his arrest.
The man is an established arms dealer, thought to be a middle aged man of Indian origin, who lives in London.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/americas/3146025.stm