Posted on 10/22/2001 11:59:54 PM PDT by kattracks
A man who used cash to buy large amounts of candy from Costco stores in Hackensack and Wayne last week is not suspected of any terrorist activity, the FBI said Monday.
"We do not have any evidence that suggests that the purchases of these items was not for legitimate purposes," said Sandra Carroll, an FBI spokesperson in Newark.
The FBI detained the man "for reasons unrelated to the purchases," Carroll said. A law enforcement source who did not want to be identified said the man is a foreign national who was being held for immigration law reasons.
The candy, meanwhile, has been found, Carroll said.
News reports about the $15,000 cash purchases prompted public concern about the safety of Halloween candy.
However, Carroll emphasizesd that the FBI would notify the public whenever it came across credible information that poses a health concern.
Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence. That goes double when the FBI is involved.
It is good that this is not terrorism related. But there is a "factoid" hidden in this story.
The reason they are keeping him detained is because his visa is expired.
The point is: somebody randomly investigated has an expire visa. People with expired visa are everywhere.
When are we going to start deporting them all?????
If this candy incident were in a place we have not heard of regarding the terrorist threat, I would accept that it is unrelated. But a guy with an expired visa (same MO as many of the 9/11 terrorists) in Wayne NJ -- where Atta rented cars, near where the anthrax mailings went out -- I am not ready to accept that the incident, and/or similar ones, are benign.
I am an illegal alien who spends $15,000 Cash on candy.
Question to mister candy man ? What are you going to do with all that candy?
Send in the IRS, they'll get an answer.
I tend to agree. When the first anthrax death ocurred in Florida it was "just an isolated case."
WHAT KIND OF "FOREIGN NATIONAL"????.....
Interesting that this is kept out of the story - the free ride is over for the terrorists and all the foreigners here that have OVERSTAYED their WELCOME!
I think we all know perfectly well what kind of foreign national.... more PC crap.
Of course, Atta'a and the other 9/11 terrorists' flying lessons and plane rentals and the current flying lessons of 14 Syrians also did/do not suggest any "evidence" that they were not for "legitimate purposes," either. Same with Atta's entry into the US the last time, even though he was stopped and queried, then let in.
Large cash transaction? Fake Costco membership card? Expired visa? But: no evidence to suggest that it is not for legitimate purposes??
I wonder if the IRS uses the same definition of "evidence" and "legitimate purposes" . . .?
Send in the IRS, they'll get an answer.
I’d bet that it’s a case for the IRS and not the FBI. People buy items in bulk that are not labeled for individual sale, then they sell them off-the-books in inner city grocery stores.
It’s a money-making, income-tax-avoidance scheme.
Basically, they’re avoiding Uncle Sam's shakedown racket, but if they're here illegally, I have no problem with our kicking them out.
$15,000 candy buy intended for resale
Tuesday, October 23, 2001
By PETER POCHNA and MITCHEL MADDUX
Staff WritersA man who used cash to buy $15,000 worth of candy from Costco stores in Hackensack and Wayne last week is not suspected of any terrorist activity, the FBI said Monday.
"We do not have any evidence that suggests that the purchases of these items was not for legitimate purposes," said Sandra Carroll, an FBI spokeswoman in Newark.
Carroll said the FBI has accounted for all of the candy, which local police said was bought "for resale purposes."
The buyer was described by a law enforcement source as a foreign national who was being held by the INS for immigration law reasons.
The INS refused to comment, however, and Carroll would say only that the man was being detained "for reasons unrelated to the purchases."
Large purchases at the grocery and home goods wholesaler are common, but the size and nature of the candy acquisition prompted suspicion. Officials at Costco's national headquarters near Seattle called the FBI, after hearing from a local Costco manager who sent them a videotape from a security camera.
News reports about the incident generated concern about the safety of Halloween candy. Hackensack police Capt. Frank Lomia said his office was deluged Monday morning with calls from concerned parents and national and international media outlets.
Lomia, in turn, called the FBI directly.
"We're happy that we can pass on the word that fears about this incident were unfounded," Lomia said.
The incident, combined with general concern about Halloween, prompted city Police Chief Charles "Ken" Zisa to suggest last week that school officials send a notice to parents advising precautions.
Hackensack Schools Superintendent Joseph Montesano said Monday that he was relieved to learn the outcome of the incident. He said he expected that the school district would send home a notice with students anyway.
"We'll probably ask parents to be diligent about looking at their kids' trick-or-treat goodies," Montesano said.
Concern about Halloween has spread nationwide. In Arkansas, Gov. Mike Huckabee has suggested that children stay home next Wednesday night because nervous parents might overwhelm police with requests to examine candy.
Carroll suggested the public be calm but cautious. If the FBI learns of any genuine health hazard, she emphasized, citizens would be alerted.
"The public will be notified of credible information that poses a health issue or concern," she said.
--Bergen Record
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