Posted on 01/15/2006 3:32:02 PM PST by Nasty McPhilthy
The FBI has initiated an intense investigation into the increase in purchases of large numbers of disposable cell phones by individuals who emanate from the Middle East and Pakistan.
The cheap cell phones, which do not require purchasers to sign a contract or have a credit card, have many legitimate uses, and are popular with those who have bad credit or for use as emergency phones tucked away in motor vehicle glove compartments. But, according to law enforcement commanders, since they can be difficult or impossible to track, the phones are widely used by organized crime gangs, drug traffickers and terrorists.
The FBI agents are closely monitoring this dangerous situation, which came to light following recent large-quantity purchases in California and Texas. In fact, these two purchases occurred after the New York Times published a story regarding a top secret NSA surveillance program which was leaked by an official or officials unknown at this time.
In a December 31 transaction at a Target store in California, 150 disposable cell phones were purchased. Suspicious store employees called the local police, who in turn notified the FBI.
In a December 18 incident at a Wal-Mart store in Texas, six individuals attempted to buy about 60 of the phones until store clerks became suspicious and notified the police who informed the FBI of the transaction.
The Midland, Texas, police report dated December 18 and obtained by ABC News states: "Information obtained by MPD [Midland Police Department] dispatch personnel indicated that approximately six individuals of Middle-Eastern origin were attempting to purchase an unusually large quantity of tracfones [disposable cell phones with prepaid minutes attached]." At least one of the suspects was identified as being from Iraq and another from Pakistan, officials said.
When the local police officers arrived, the suspects were observed moving away from the registers while trying to avoid detection while they discarded merchandise -- 60 tracphones.
These purchasers are believed to be linked to a terrorist cell operating within the United States, according to counterterrorist sources.
According to sources in the federal law enforcement community, reports are coming in from other cities, including Dallas, and from cops in other states. Authorities in Pennsylvania, New York and other parts of Texas confirmed that they were alerted to the cases. It's believed other local law enforcement agencies and anti-terrorism task forces have also been notified.
The growing use of the throwaway cell phones has been cited by President Bush as an important justification for expanding the wiretap laws under the Patriot Act.
"Law enforcement officials can now use what's now called roving wiretaps, which will prevent a terrorist from switching cell phones to get a message out to one of his buddies," said the President during a press conference following the NSA spy leak.
Law enforcement commanders are being sensitive to allegations of profiling, so they are saying it is possible that some large purchases are being sent to the Middle East for resale in a sellers' markets in their home countries, or as gifts for friends and relatives.
In fact, as a result of news stories regarding suspicious disposable cell phone purchases, the American Civil Liberties Union is looking into legal action they might take to stifle law enforcement's investigation of Middle Easterners making large-quantity purchases.
However, both intelligence officers and law enforcement investigators are monitoring reports of large-quantity purchases.
It's believed that some purchasers of disposable cellular phones could include political extremists, terrorist supporters, sympathizers or others simply shaken by the recent revelations of the National Security Agency's widespread monitoring of calls, including calls to and from the United States to foreign countries.
Both the leaker from the NSA and the NYT deserve to be charged with treason.
No ands, ifs, or buts about it!
I can't believe this story has been so ignored.
A whole cache were bought in Dallas and all I read in the 'paper' was that the FBI said it wasn't terror related.
'Scuse me??? I'm sure one of those middle-easterners was buying a whole bunch of phones for their boy scout troup.
This is probably a direct result of the NY Times leak. Yes, it is traitorous and should be investigated and punished.
Bush pointed out a prior case where our connection to Osama was ruined when the way we were tracking him was leaked by the press.
It looks like the majority of middle easterners purchasing non-traceable phones was in Texas!
Watch out Texas.....Midland, Texas...????
No need to have the taxpayers pay for the next damage a terrorist does. I'm sure the Slimes will be willing to pick up the tab to make restitution.
Yeah, I saw that.
Thanks.
OMG. Next thing you know, the bad guys will use pay phones!!
Expand?
Pinch Sulzberger must be proud.
I'll expand, buddy. This is how low the American people have found themselves by a Bush administration that has run rampant.
:) Hehe!
Absolutely! Would love to see it happen.
bump....
when did the Times story break??? Reason I ask is the thread you linked to is from 11/5.
If the anonymity is useful to them, they were probably already using it. If the technology is useful for terrorists, perhaps it should not be available "over the counter," as it were.
Sometimes I think all journalists should just shut up.
Hehehehe. I hear ya. But it's fun to deconstruct their fabrications.
The one about the NSA that caused all the commotion was December 16, I think, but wasn't there a previous one?
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