Reports of Possible Dirty Bomb in Boston (updated link)

By Evan Kohlmann

Boston terror threat probed
By Tom Farmer and Michele McPhee
Wednesday, January 19, 2005 Federal and state authorities are investigating a nuclear terrorist threat against Boston after a man calling from Mexico told California police that he smuggled two Iraqis and four Chinese over the border, the Boston Herald has learned. You can also see this story if you can't get into the Boston Herald site.

`They got a call from across the border in Mexico to the California Highway Patrol and he said he brought two Iraqis and four Chineses (individuals)across the border and according to him, they stated soon to follow behind them would be some sort of material,'' said a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation.

``He refers to some sort of nuclear material that will follow them through New York up into Boston.''

According to the source, the caller has not identified himself and did not show up for a meeting with federal investigators in California but he did leave pictures of four Chinese men and some names at a ``drop'' site at the Mexico-California border.

``They were dropped by the source at a location. He literally threw them over a fence from Mexico to the U.S. side,'' said the source. ``There are pictures of the four Chinese and some names but just how accurate they are remains a question''

Massachusetts law enforcement officials were notified of the threat at 5:30 a.m. today through the FBI and Boston Police Joint Terrorist Task Force.

The threat was serious enough that Mayor Menino ordered the Fire Commissioner and the state's Homeland Security Chief into his office at City Hall, where they met with officials from the CIA, FBI, and Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, a high-ranking city official told the Herald.

``They are desperately trying to piece it together,'' said the offial, who added that if the threat is real it is ``very scary.''

A company that trains explosive-sniffing dogs said it was alerted that the canines would be searching for a ``dirty bomb,'' a New York City law enforcement official said yesterday.

The Massachusetts investigator said much of the man's information sounds far-fetched and investigators have some doubts about the caller's validity because he has not identified himself.

``A lot of it doesn't make sense and some of it does,'' said the source. ``It's totally uncorroborated. This all began several days ago as a series of phone calls and they don't know who the caller is. There are some parts of it that just don't make sense and other little pieces of it that fall into place. The information is these people that came into the country are going to New eYork into Boston and the (nuclear) material will follow them.''

The source said there is speculation the caller may have been ripped off by illegal immigrants he helped over the border and is now trying to exact revenge.

``It's very weird. Even if (the Iraqis and Chinese) were going to do something why would they be blabbing to the yahoo smuggling them across the border? You have to wonder if they screwd him on a deal but you have to treat it seriously and the issue is how do you put it out to the public and not get everybody (in a panic)?''

The source said the information will soon ``come out over police channels and BOLOs (be on the lookout).''

The source added the FBI office in San Diego is leading the investigation. ``The FBI in San Diego is the originating office so they are driving the investigation. The FBI in Boston is in a tough position because they are waiting for information''

The caller has not given investigators any means to contact him.

``They tried to set up a meet with him but he didn't show up.''

TrackBack

TrackBack URL for this entry:
http://counterterrorismblog.org/mt/pings.cgi/1181

Listed below are links to weblogs that reference Reports of Possible Dirty Bomb in Boston (updated link):

» Reports of Possible Dirty Bomb in Boston from alt-ctrl-del
Per The CounterTerrorism Blog. Stay tuned... [Read More]

» Dirty Bomb in Boston? from Speed of Thought...
Breaking [Read More]

» FBI: Search for 'Dirty bomb' in Boston from Our Life
Breaking on Drudge: BOSTON -- The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency has been placed on standby, and public safety officials are meeting at the bunker, officials said Wednesday. There have been reports that the FBI office in Boston received a ca... [Read More]

» THE BOSTON CONNECTION from Michelle Malkin
If you can't access the Drudge-linked report of the dirty bomb threat in Boston, go to The Counterterrorism Blog--one of my new daily reads. The southern border figures prominently in the story, a threat we've documented copiously here, here, here,... [Read More]

» Report: Search for Dirty Bomb in Boston? from Backcountry Conservative
Drudge: FBI: SEARCH FOR 'DIRTY BOMB' IN BOSTON BostonChannel.com BOSTON -- The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency has been placed on standby, and public safety officials are meeting at the bunker, officials said Wednesday. There have been report... [Read More]

» Boston Terrorism Suspects from Terrorism Unveiled
Via The Counterterrorism Blog: Boston terror threat probedBy Tom Farmer and Michele McPhee Wednesday, January 19, 2005 Federal and state authorities are investigating a nuclear terrorist threat against Boston after a man calling from Mexico told Califo... [Read More]

» Dirty bomb in Boston? from lime shurbet
Drudge has the siren going. Let's hope this is a false alarm. [Read More]

» Breaking News: Possible dirty bomb in Boston from artitumis.com
Breaking news from Boston. Boston Herald - Federal and state authorities are investigating a nuclear terrorist threat against Boston after a man calling from Mexico told California police that he smuggled two Iraqis and four Chinese over the border,... [Read More]

» http://okieonthelam.com/index.php?p=278 from OKIE on the LAM - In LA
Michelle Malkin highlights this breaking story about a potential "dirty bomb" threat in Boston that sounds like the Tom Clancy novel The Teeth of the Tiger come to life. Read it all at The Counterterrorism Blog, a great resource find! Reports of P... [Read More]

» Dirty Bomb in Boston? from EagleSpeak
Nonetheless, you've got to take it seriously because if is serious then... [Read More]

» Dirty Bomb Threat In Boston: Real? from DOUBLE TOOTHPICKS:Worldviews Behind The News
Is this a possibility? In a word, yes. "Nuclear material" could be a lot of things. Medical waste products, and even smoke detectors, contain radioactive substances. Is this real? We'll see. [Read More]

» Terrorist Manhunt in Boston from Interested-Participant
In reading about this story throughout the Internet, it's been casually mentioned that reactions may be bordering on panic and more fevered than circumstances warrant. Personally, I don't think that the appropriate time for sober reflection is in the m... [Read More]

» A Dirty Bomb in Boston? from Solomonia
Good thing I've been stockpiling my own bone marrow. Boston.com: FBI searches for six suspected of possible terrorist threat to Boston The FBI has triggered a massive manhunt for six people -- four Chinese and two Iraqis -- who may... [Read More]

» Dirty Bomb Suspect: Boston Bound? from Slant Point
These four individuals are being sought in connection with a possible plot to release a dirty bomb in Boston. Things to note: these 4 crossed the Mexican border. Of course, this sounds off an alarm to head to Michelle Malkin's site, the most diligent... [Read More]

» Dirty Bomb Threat in Boston from The Scriptorium
It's hard to tell if this threat is more than just a wild goose chase, but it sure does point to the problems with our borders. It's only a matter of time until someone does cross the border with a dirty bomb, if they haven't already. Authoritie... [Read More]

» Dirty bomb in Boston? from Brain Shavings
Get everything you need to know about the possible dirty bomb threat in Boston at The Counterterrorism Blog. Hat tip: Powerpundit... [Read More]

» FBI Looking For Dirty Bomb In Boston, Smuggled Through Mexico from Diggers Realm
The FBI is on the lookout for 4 chinese nationals -- identified as Zengrong Lin, Wen Quin Zheng, Xiujin Chen and Guozhi Lin -- and two Iraqi men who are thought to have access to a dirty bomb that... [Read More]

» Dirty Bomb in Boston? from Myopic Zeal
From the Boston Herald story headlined Boston terror threat probed: Authorities are scouring Boston for four Chinese nationals and two Iraqi men who may pose a nuclear threat to the city based on a report from an unidentified man calling from Mexic... [Read More]

» FBI Probing 'Dirty Bomb' Threat in Boston (UPDATED) from Conservative Thinking
DIRTY BOMBERS? More Pictures at Free Republic (1619 EST) Breaking on Drudge: BOSTON -- The Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency has been placed on standby, and public safety officials are meeting at the bunker, officials said Wednesday. There have... [Read More]

Newslinks

Al Qaeda Lays Out Demands to France

(Pakistan) Suspected US Drone Attack Kills 6 in Pakistan

(Pakistan) 10 pro-Taliban rebels killed in northwest Pakistan

(Afghanistan) Taliban kill district police chief in east Afghanistan

(Afghanistan) Bicycle bombs kill three in Afghanistan

(Iraq) Insurgents Kill U.S. Soldier In Northern Iraq - Xinhua

Iraq TV reporter gunned down in home: police

(Yemen) Terrorists posing as refugees in Yemen

American-Born al Qaeda Calls for Attacks in U.S.

Guantanamo terrorism suspect may get plea deal

(Pakistan) 23 militants killed in Pakistan

(Afghanistan) Afghan capital enjoys relative calm amid security crackdown

(Iraq) At least five killed in Iraq car bomb

Hezbollah to Refuse to Handover Suspects to Hariri Tribunal - Sources

Al Qaeda kingpin escaped as chopper had no fuel

Yemen launches anti-al Qaeda operation

Al-Qaida in North Africa seen as key Europe threat

Iraq broadcasts confessions by al Qaeda insurgents

(Afghanistan) Linda Norgrove's Afghanistan captors 'set off explosion' during rescue attempt

(Afghanistan) 9 civilians killed in Afghanistan blast

(Pakistan) Suspected drone strike kills 8 in Pakistan

Pakistan Ex-Ruler Musharraf Favors Deals With Taliban to Counter Militants

Pakistan reopens border crossing to NATO trucks

Life in Prison for Would-Be Times Square Bomber - Faisal Shahzad

France Arrests 12 in Antiterrorism Raids

U.S. issues travel alert for Americans in Europe as terrorism threat grows

Pakistan: Dozens of Europeans in terror training

Officials: U.S. missiles kill Germans in Pakistan: Victims believed to be in the region for terrorist training

Osama bin Laden's spokesman freed by Iran - Sulaiman Abu Ghaith

Global manhunt for Canadian students

(Canada) Winnipeg Muslims shocked local trio target of global terrorism probe - Miawand Yar, Ferid Imam and Muhannad al-Farekh

EU holds anti-terrorist exercise amid reports of al-Qaeda plot

AP Interview: Interpol head warns of Somali threat - Ronald K. Noble

HSPI Report: Foreign Fighters: Trends, Trajectories and Conflict Zones

Call to Taliban After Bomb Attempt in Times Sq. - Faisal Shahzad

E.U. cites nationals training in terror - Ahmed Siddiqui, the German in custody at the U.S. air base at Bagram

Congress Passes Homeland Bills to Improve Information Sharing and Grant Oversight - Reducing Over-Classification Act (H.R. 553), Redundancy Elimination and Enhanced Performance for Preparedness Grants Act (H.R. 3980)

U.N. Security Council Demands Better Cooperation Against Terrorism

(Yemen) 5 Militants Dead and 32 Suspects Arrested during Operations against Al-Qaeda in Shabwa - Official

Rise in Predator strikes in Pakistan aimed at foiling Mumbai in Europe

Norway: Admission in Bomb Plot Against a Danish Newspaper

Terror plot against Britain thwarted by drone strike: An al-Qaeda plot to attack Britain in a Mumbai-style attack has been thwarted by a drone strike in Pakistan.

Spain arrests American al-Qaida suspect - Mohamed Omar Debhi, from Texas

Yemeni cleric part of terror plots: Aided in Christmas plane-bombing attempt, court motion says - Anwar al-Aulaqi

(East Africa) Secret report exposes terror network's operations in Kampala attack

Congressional Research Service report: American Jihadist Terrorism: Combating a
Complex Threat

Risk of small-scale attacks by al-Qaeda and its allies is rising, officials say - Statements at Senate panel hearing

President Obama sends letter, top counter terror advisor, to Yemen

Anonymity promised for NYC terror trial jurors - trial of Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani

Yemen Military Besieges Remote Qaeda Redoubt

France raises anti-terror security after tip-offs

Pakistani identified as al Qaeda top brass: Deadly commander a CIA target - Mohammad Ilyas Kashmiri

Pakistan Taliban threats to West limited, analysts say: Capability to attack U.S., Europe seen tied to homegrown terrorists

Inside the mind of the Times Square bomber - Faisal Shahzad

France suspects al-Qaeda behind Niger kidnappings: French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner says he suspects a group linked to al-Qaeda were behind the kidnapping of seven people in Niger.

Chechen Is Detained, Then Freed, in Poland - Akhmed Zakayev

Pakistani's Death in London Sets Off Unrest - Imran Farooq

(UK) British Police Hold 6 on Terror Charges as Pope Visits

(UK) MI5: Somalia, Yemen Pose Increasing Threat to Security

Anwar al Awlaki: the new Osama bin Laden? Anwar al Awlaki, a preacher broadcasting his Islamist ideology in sermons on the internet, is a clear and present danger, says Philip Johnston

Informer in Bomb Plot Describes His Two Lives

What the new Zawahiri tape means

Bayonne man admits lying about knowledge of two N.J. men accused in terror plot - Mohamed Osman

U.S. Debates Response to Targeted Killing Lawsuit Anwar al-Aulaqi

Witness's Role in Embassy Bombing Trial to Be Contested at Hearing - Trial of Ahmed Khalfan Ghailani in New York

ICAO Aviation Conference Adopts International Air Law Instruments

US considers terror charges for cleric al-Awlaki - Updated

US eyes terror charges for Yemeni cleric al-Awlaki

Underwear Bomber Hints He Might Plead Guilty; Also Fires his Attorneys - Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab

Cops, Robbers ... and the Muslim Brotherhood? Why the Egyptian government's propaganda version of CSI revealed more about its own paranoia than about its enemies.

(Afghanistan) Koran-burning protest turns deadly in Afghanistan

(Afghanistan) US troops killed in Afghanistan and Africa

Pakistani Insurgent Group Expands in Afghanistan

(Pakistan) While Pakistan grapples with floods, U.S. turns up the heat in northwest

(Iraq) Five killed in central Iraq violence

Charity founder found guilty: Pete Seda is convicted of smuggling and tax offenses - Al-Haramain USA

In Saudi Arabia, re-educating terrorists held at Gitmo: Former Guantanamo Bay prisoners said to be more likely to return to terror. - "Abdulrahman Al Hadlaq, director of the Interior Ministry's Ideological Security Directorate, said the program's relapse rate for Guantanamo returnees came close to 20 percent, or 18.9 to be exact."

Report calls immigrants and domestic Muslims a terror threat in U.S. Bipartisan Policy Center report by Peter Bergen and Bruce Hoffman is here

American Jihadi Killed In Somalia Shootout: Somalis Say Militant 'Commander' Killed In Street Battle Had US Papers - Dahir Gurey Sheikh Ali Guled

(Denmark) Explosion possibly terror related

Growing power of al-Qaida leader in Yemen - Said Ali al-Shihri, ex-Guantanamo detainee

Market Bomb in Russia's Caucasus Kills at Least 15

3 Pakistani men charged in failed Times Square bombing: The three are accused of helping Faisal Shahzad get Taliban training and giving him money as he prepared for a car-bomb attack. - Shahid Hussain, Shoaib Mughal and Humbal Akhtar are friends of Shahzad

This Sept. 11, Will Terror Sites Get Hacked Again?

Norway suspect pleads not guilty in country's first terror financing trial

Ex-Gitmo Detainee Arrested in Yemen - Jabir Jubran al Fayfi ISN 188

Al-Qaeda message targets Spanish enclaves in Morocco

Norway man pleads not guilty to terror financing - Name of Norway defendant protected under privacy law

Tunisians were heading for terror training in Somalia, says Kenya

In Saudi Arabia, women join fight against terror

Bahrain arrests dozens of Shiite Muslims accused of plotting coup d'etat

Muslim cleric calls for beheading of Dutch politician - Australia-born Feiz Muhammad threats on audio against Geert Wilders who faces trial in the Netherlands for inciting hatred and discrimination against Muslims.

Inside Al Qaeda - Nine years after 9/11, Osama bin Laden's network remains a shadowy, little-understood enemy. The truth, as revealed by one of its fighters, is both more and less troubling than we think.

(UK)
Dead Codebreaker Was Linked to NSA Intercept Case - Gareth Williams, worked decoding Taliban communications, foul play

Probe Circles Globe to Find Dirty Money - Investigation of Alavi Foundation and Iran

Dutch Release Two Yemeni Men

U.S. charges Pakistani Taliban leader in CIA attack - Hakimullah Mehsud

U.S. adds Pakistan Taliban to terror list - Tehrik-i-Taliban, or Taliban Movement of Pakistan (TTP). Simultaneously, U.S. prosecutors charged TTP leader Hakimullah Mehsud for a plot that killed seven CIA employees at a U.S. base in Afghanistan last December.

(Germany) Hamburg Alert For Return of 'Jihadists' as Sept. 11 Mosque Shut

How ABC's Brian Ross blew the latest "terrorism" story

Newslinks Archives
Newslinks RSS Feed

Reports of Possible Dirty Bomb in Boston (updated link)

By Evan Kohlmann

TrackBack

Search Newslinks