TERROR SUSPECT NABBED AFTER WORKING ON NYC LANDMARK (GEORGE WASHINGTON BRIDGE)

WCBS 88 ^ | 5/5/05 | CBS

[areafiftyone]

NEW YORK (CBS) A routine traffic stop leads to the arrest of a terror watch list suspect in our area. What's more, CBS 2 has learned 39-year-old Sami Ibrahim Isa Ardel Hadi had a valid I.D. to work as a painter on the George Washington Bridge.

Hadi was arrested yesterday afternoon by Bergen County Police, say sources, on Route 46 by Ridgefield Park. He was stopped for tailgating.

When the officer called-in the North Carolina plates of Hadi's car, the Bergen County Police report indicates the officer was told Hadi was on several federal agency terror watch lists, and there was a stop and hold order on him.

The police report also says that Hadi had a valid temporary I.D. to work on the George Washington Bridge. He works for L & L Painting, the subcontractor painting the bridge.

The FBI was called and took Hadi and a second person in the car into custody, though the second person was not on the terror watch list.

L and L Painting is based in Hicksville, says it could not comment because it works for the Port Authority, and the Port Authority says it's been told Hadi is not on a terror watch list.

But the PBA union for Port Authority Police confirmed that a painter on the GWB has indeed been arrested and was on the terror watch list.

The PBA said Hadi was on the list because his visa had expired and authorities could not locate him.

PBA officials added, "What scares us is that workers on the Port Authority's bridges and tunnels have no security background checks.

They say they've complained about this since 9/11.

[areafiftyone]

I haven't seen any other stories about this in any other news outlet. Typical! Not much info on this suspect and I suspect there won't be much more coming out either.

[Leatherneck_MT]

I just hope that they do a thorough, and I do mean thorough investigation on where this clown has been and what he's been doing.

[Constitution Day]

NEW YORK (CBS)
A routine traffic stop leads to the arrest of a terror watch list suspect in our area.
What's more, CBS 2 has learned 39-year-old Sami Ibrahim Isa Ardel Hadi had a valid I.D. to work as a painter on the George Washington Bridge...

...When the officer called-in the North Carolina plates of Hadi's car, the Bergen County Police report indicates the officer was told Hadi was on several federal agency terror watch lists, and there was a stop and hold order on him.

---

NC *Ping*

Please FRmail Constitution Day, TaxRelief OR Alia if you want to be added to or removed from this North Carolina ping list.

[riri]

Sami Ibrahim Isa Ardel Hadi

Do you really need to run a background check with a name like that?

[Lee'sGhost]

New slogant for NC:

North Carolina -- jump street for terrorist.

[DoctorMichael]

More Strip Searches of elderly Caucasian grandmothers from Wisconsin with surnames like 'Smith' are definitely needed.

[Americanexpat]

"Do you really need to run a background check with a name like that?"
U guess your being sarcastic but if the officer had said he pulled them over because the guy looks middle eastern the ACLU would have been all over his a**.

[alice_in_bubbaland]

My husband works for a major construction co. here in NJ. He has security clearance to work at Newark Airport. He's been working at the airport for seven years and carries a NY/NJ Port Authority ID Badge w/customs seal. (because he works within secure areas in the airport)

After 9-11 he had to get a photo drivers license and Company ID in addition to the Port Authority ID

Why can't ALL Port subcontractors do the same!

[cripplecreek]

My mother is a truck driver. She had to pay for her own FBI background check. Most immigrants who drive truck aren't checked because of a lack of records prior to their arrival in this country.

[alice_in_bubbaland]

IMHO maybe they shouldn't be driving trucks. Especially hazardous materials drivers. No exceptions!

[Donna Lee Nardo]

North Carolina plates. What a coincidence!

[neverdem]

One of my best friends works for the Port Authority since the late 1970s, doing maintenance for the PA and painting the GWB! His father worked for the PA at the GWB. I sent the story to him and some of my other friends.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

That was my first response. How do justify a stop for "tailgating" on just this one car in Metro traffic?

[Pyro7480]

BTTT

[FormerACLUmember]

Sleeper Cell Alert.

[JerseyHighlander]

McGreevey absconded his duties in favor of 24/7 access to man ass. This arrest today is just one public airing of one of the dozens of huge threats to security in Metro NYC untackled by the government and bureaucracy.

But, we wait until we hear if this man was part of a cell or not to pass judgment. As current case law stipulates, his employer would not be able to check the SS# he provided without opening themselves up to a discrimination complaint. the Real ID bill, if passed into law, would address and partially protect against this type of threat.

[WestCoastGal]

UnFreaking Believable!!

[areafiftyone]

but... but... didn't you just hear that NJ voters want him baaaaaack! And I just read a news article today stating that NJers approve of same sex marriage! What is with NJ???? I have conservative friends in NJ and they are just disgusted with their state!

[OldFriend]

How ridiculous. Now we are going to call someone a terrorist who overstayed his visa.

Get a grip.

He should be deported but lets not get carried away with the terrorist stuff.

[areafiftyone]

Did I say that? Hmmmm I don't remember saying that.