Threat Matrix: Daily Terror Threat

Note: The following news brief is a quote:
---

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3286073,00.html

Venezuela's Chavez withdraws ambassador in Israel

Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said on Thursday he had ordered the withdrawal of Venezuela's ambassador in Israel.

Chavez, a vocal critic of the US Government, has condemned Israeli incursions into Gaza and Lebanon, and frequently expresses support for the Palestinian people. (Reuters)

(08.04.06, 02:19)

Note: The following text is a quote:
---

http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/060803louisville.htm
August 03, 2006

Illegal alien pleads guilty in fake document conspiracy

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - An illegal alien from Mexico pleaded guilty today for his role in a Louisville-area fraudulent document ring, following an investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Luis Enrique Delrio-Olivarez, 44, of 1503 Oleanda Ct., Louisville, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to possess a document-making implement and false identification documents, including Permanent Resident Alien Cards (green cards), Social Security cards, Mexican driver's licenses and Mexican birth certificates, with the intent to sell them.

Delrio-Olivarez admitted that between March and May 2005, he knowingly and voluntarily joined an existing conspiracy run by co-defendants Christopher Martinez-Juarez and Hector Lavoe-Gonzalez. Specifically, Delrio-Olivarez conspired with Martinez-Juarez, Lavoe-Gonzalez, and others to illegally possess a document-making implement and false identification documents, while knowing that the documents were falsely made and with the intent to defraud the United States and transfer them unlawfully.

Members of the conspiracy solicited customers entering and leaving Louisville-area Mexican grocery stores and restaurants, and other local businesses. They distributed business cards bearing a name and a telephone number. The business cards had designs advertising different services, including mechanic, plumbing, and handyman work, offered 24 hours a day, seven days a week. In fact, the business cards provided contact information for obtaining false identification documents. After being contacted by a customer, a member of the conspiracy produced the fraudulent documents and delivered them to the customer.

“ICE places a high priority on investigating identity fraud and document fraud cases,” said Jerry Phillips, resident agent-in-charge of the ICE Office of Investigations in Louisville. “Counterfeit documents create the illusion of legitimacy and allow dangerous criminals to hide in plain sight. ICE is committed to shutting down these illegal enterprises that compromise our nation's security.”

Delrio-Olivarez is scheduled to be sentenced before Chief Judge John G. Heyburn II in U.S. District Court Oct. 27. He faces up to 15 years' imprisonment and a $250,000 fine. As a convicted criminal alien, Delrio-Olivarez will be deported after he completes any prison sentence imposed.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Madison Sewell prosecuted this case. The Louisville Metro Police Department assisted ICE in the investigation.

-- ICE --

Note: The following text is a quote:
---

http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/060803mayaguez.htm

August 03, 2006

ICE arrests man who attempted to import heroin in his luggage and stomach

MAYAGUEZ, Puerto Rico- A 25-year-old Dominican who attempted to import more than 373 grams of heroin in his luggage and 86 pellets (1.1 kilograms) of the same contraband in his stomach was arrested here yesterday by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) special agents.

Simon Hernandez arrived at the Mayaguez, Puerto Rico seaport from the Dominican Republic onboard the M/V Caribbean Express. During a routine customs inspection, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers found 29 pellets of heroin weighing 373 grams hidden in his luggage.

A more thorough secondary inspection of Hernandez identified him as carrying 86 pellets of heroin in his stomach for an estimated weight of 1.1 kilograms.

Simon Hernandez was taken to a local hospital were he expelled the contraband he was carrying in his stomach.

“We will simply not tolerate the infiltration of contraband through our ports of entry and will bring those who attempt to do it to justice,” said Lydia St. John, acting special agent-in-charge of ICE investigations in Puerto Rico. “We have the necessary state-of-the-art technology and our inspectors and agents are well trained to detect this type of criminal activity.”

Simon Hernandez is in ICE custody and will be transferred to the Metropolitan Detention Center in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico after his initial appearance before a magistrate judge.

-- ICE --

Note: The following post is a quote:
---

http://www.ice.gov/pi/news/newsreleases/articles/060801baltimore.htm

August 1, 2006

Member of Cross-Country Cocaine Conspiracy Sentenced to 12 Years in Prison

Baltimore, Maryland - Eric Pinno, age 41, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was sentenced today to 12 years in prison, followed by 5 years of supervised release for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, announced United States Attorney for the District of Maryland Rod J. Rosenstein. U.S. District Judge J. Frederick Motz also will issue an order to Pinno to forfeit $442,338.

According to the statement of facts presented at his guilty plea on June 2, 2006, from 2004 through 2005 Steven Josephs supplied Eric Pinno with multiple kilograms of cocaine, which Pinno then distributed to buyers in the Pittsburgh area. The cocaine was transported across the country from California to Maryland by individuals who drove tractor trailers and other vehicles.

The drivers carried U.S. currency in the opposite direction from Maryland to California. During the conspiracy, Pinno distributed between 50 kilograms and 150 kilograms of cocaine. Law enforcement agents seized $442,338 in U.S. currency from Pinno during the course of the investigation. They also seized a handgun during a search of Pinno’s house.

Steven Josephs pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, on November 14, 2005. He faces a maximum penalty of life in prison and a fine of $4,000,000. His sentencing has not yet been scheduled.

United States Attorney Rod J. Rosenstein thanked special agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for their investigative work in this case. Mr. Rosenstein also praised Assistant United States Attorney Paul M. Tiao, who is prosecuting the case.

-- ICE --

UPDATE...

FRONTPAGE MAGAZINE.com: "GERMAN TRAIN TERROR" by Stephen Brown (August 4, 2006)

DEFENSEnews.com (REUTERS, BERLIN): "GERMANY PROBES POSSIBLE TERRORIST LINKS TO BOMBS" (ARTICLE SNIPPET: "One of the bombs was discovered in an abandoned suitcase at a train station in Dortmund, which hosted some of last month's World Cup matches.") (August 1, 2006)

"www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1659022/posts?page=2050#2050"

Off Topic - Request for Assistance:

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1677556/posts

Note: The following text is a quote:
---

http://www.treasury.gov/press/releases/hp45.htm

August 3, 2006
hp-45

Treasury Designates Director, Branches of Charity Bankrolling Al Qaida Network

The U.S. Department of the Treasury today designated the Philippine and Indonesian branch offices of the Saudi-based International Islamic Relief Organization (IIRO) for facilitating fundraising for al Qaida and affiliated terrorist groups. Treasury additionally designated Abd Al Hamid Sulaiman Al-Mujil, the Executive Director of the Eastern Province Branch of IIRO in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

"Abd Al Hamid Sulaiman Al-Mujil, a high-ranking IIRO official in Saudi Arabia, has used his position to bankroll the al Qaida network in Southeast Asia. Al-Mujil has a long record of supporting Islamic militant groups, and he has maintained a cell of regular financial donors in the Middle East who support extremist causes," said Stuart Levey, Treasury's Under Secretary for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence (TFI). "Today we are holding him to account."

The IIRO was established in 1978 and, according to its website, the organization has branch offices in over 20 countries in Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

"It is particularly shameful when groups that hold themselves out as charitable or religious organizations defraud their donors and divert funds in support of violent terrorist groups," said Levey. "We have long been concerned about these IIRO offices; we are now taking public action to sever this link in the al Qaida network's funding chain."

Today's action was taken pursuant to Executive Order 13224, which is aimed at detecting and disrupting financial flows to terrorists. Under this authority, U.S. persons are prohibited from engaging in transactions with the designees, and any assets they may have under U.S. jurisdiction are frozen.

IDENTIFIER INFORMATION

Abd Al Hamid Sulaiman Al-Mujil

Abd Al Hamid Sulaiman Al-Mujil (Al-Mujil) is the Executive Director of the IIRO Eastern Province (IIRO-EP) branch office in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Al-Mujil has been called the "million dollar man" for supporting Islamic militant groups.

Al-Mujil provided donor funds directly to al Qaida and is identified as a major fundraiser for the Abu Sayyaf Group (ASG) and Jemaah Islamiyah (JI). Both ASG and JI are al Qaida-associated terrorist groups in Southeast Asia designated pursuant to the authorities of E.O. 13224. These terrorist groups are also on the United Nations 1267 Committee's consolidated list of individuals and entities associated with the Taliban, al Qaida and/or Usama Bin Ladin.

In 2004, Al-Mujil invited a Philippines-based JI supporter to Saudi Arabia under the cover of traveling for the hajj (the Muslim pilgrimage), and planned to provide him with cash to carry back to the Philippines to support organizations including JI.

Al-Mujil was also present in Afghanistan in the late 1990s and personally knew Usama Bin Ladin and deceased al Qaida co-founder Abdallah Azzam. Al-Mujil traveled continuously to meet with members of Bin Ladin's organization in Arab countries. In the 1990s, Al-Mujil established a relationship with senior al Qaida operational planner Khalid Shaykh Muhammad.

Al-Mujil has a long history of providing support to terrorist organizations. He has contributed direct financial assistance to ASG leaders, including Abdurajak Janjalani (deceased).

The Indonesian and Philippines branches of IIRO have received support from IIRO-EP, which in turn is controlled by Al-Mujil. Indeed, he is often responsible for authorizing payment transfers for IIRO Philippines (IIRO-PHL) and IIRO Indonesia (IIRO-IDN).

Name: Abd al-Hamid Sulaiman Al-Mujil

AKAs:

Dr. Abd al-Hamid Al-Mujal
Dr. Abd Abdul-Hamid bin Sulaiman Al-Mu'jil
Dr. Abd Al-Hamid Al-Mu'ajjal
Abd al-Hamid Mu'jil
A.S. Mujel
Abu Abdallah
DOB: 28 April 1949
Nationality: Saudi Arabian

International Islamic Relief Organization, Philippines Branch Offices

The IIRO-PHL is a source of funding for the al Qaida-affiliated ASG. IIRO-PHL has served as a liaison for the ASG with other Islamic extremist groups. A former ASG member in the Philippines familiar with IIRO operations in the country reported that a limited amount of foreign IIRO funding goes to legitimate projects and the rest is directed to terrorist operations.

The Philippine branches of the IIRO were founded sometime in the late 1980s or early 1990s by Muhammad Jamal Khalifah, who is Usama bin Laden's brother-in-law and has been identified as a senior al Qaida member. IIRO-PHL's director, Abd al-Hadi Daguit, is a trusted associate of Khalifah.

While working as the director of IIRO-PHL, Khalifah maintained close connections with al Qaida through his relations with senior al Qaida supporters, including Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) Wa'el Hamza Julaidan. At the time Khalifah directed the IIRO-PHL, he employed an ASG intelligence officer as the provincial director of the IIRO-PHL in the Tawi-Tawi region of the Southern Philippines until that officer's death in 1994.

In the mid 1990s, a major ASG supporter, Mahmud Abd Al-Jalil Afif, served as the director of the IIRO-PHL and used the organization to funnel money to terrorist groups including the ASG. Afif was implicated in the assassination of Father Salvatore Carzeda in San Jose Gusu, Zamboanga City, Philippines on June 20, 1992.

AKAs:

International Islamic Relief Agency
International Relief Organization
Islamic Relief Organization
Islamic World Relief
International Islamic Aid Organization
Islamic Salvation Committee
IIRO
The Human Relief Committee of the Muslim World League
World Islamic Relief Organization
Al Igatha Al-Islamiya
Hayat al-Aghatha al-Islamia al-Alamiya
Hayat al-Igatha
Hayat Al-`Igatha
Ighatha
Igatha
Igassa
Igasa
Igase
Egassa
Address: International Islamic Relief Organization, Philippines Offices
201 Heart Tower Building
108 Valero Street
Salcedo Village, Makati City
Manila, Philippines

Other Locations: Zamboanga City, Philippines
Tawi Tawi, Philippines
Marawi City, Philippines
Basilan, Philippines
Cotabato City, Philippines

International Islamic Relief Organization, Indonesia Branch Office
The IIRO Indonesia director has channeled money to two Indonesia-based, JI-affiliated foundations. Information from 2006 shows that IIRO-IDN supports JI by providing assistance with recruitment, transportation, logistics, and safe-havens. As of late 2002, IIRO-IDN allegedly financed the establishment of training facilities for use by al Qaida associates.

AKAs:

International Islamic Relief Agency
International Relief Organization
Islamic Relief Organization
Islamic World Relief
International Islamic Aid Organization
Islamic Salvation Committee
IIRO
The Human Relief Committee of the Muslim World League
World Islamic Relief Organization
Al Igatha Al-Islamiya
Hayat al-Aghatha al-Islamia al-Alamiya
Hayat al-Igatha
Hayat Al-`Igatha
Ighatha
Igatha
Igassa
Igasa
Igase
Egassa
Address: International Islamic Relief Organization, Indonesia Office
Jalan Raya Cipinang Jaya No. 90
East Jakarta, 13410, Indonesia

P.O. Box 3654
Jakarta, Indonesia 54021

- 30 -

Note: The following text is a quote:
---

http://intelligence-summit.blogspot.com/2006/08/iran-working-with-nkorea-on-missiles.html

Thursday, August 03, 2006
Iran working with N.Korea on missiles: Institute
SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea has been working closely with Iran to develop its long-range ballistic missiles, possibly using Chinese technology, and is building large bases to prepare for their deployment, a South Korean state-run think tank said.

Communist North Korea is also building new sites near the Demilitarized Zone border for short-range missiles and is deploying missiles with improved precision that can strike most of Japan, the Institute of Foreign Affairs and National Security (IFANS) said in a report.

"The development of Taepodong-2 is conducted jointly with Iran, and it is possible China's technology is used in the development of the Taepodong-2 engine," said the IFANS report, which Reuters obtained on Thursday.

The collaboration is part of an international network, including Pakistan, that made it possible for the impoverished North to develop and deploy missiles despite scarce resources and limited testing, the study said.

North Korea fired seven missiles on July 5, including the long-range Taepodong-2, which U.S. officials said failed seconds into its flight and fell into waters between Japan and the Korean peninsula.

Christopher Hill, the top U.S. envoy to talks on the North's nuclear program, said last month one or more Iranians watched the North's missile launch, deepening concerns about the ties between two countries with troubling nuclear capabilities.

The Taepodong-2 is the product of joint efforts with Tehran, coinciding with Iran's development of the Shehab-5 and 6, and "it is highly possible that design and technology from China, which has an arms trade with Iran, were used", the report said.

The North is building a missile command base 50 km (30 miles) north of the Demilitarized Zone for as many as 30 mobile launch pads for the short-range Scud-type Hwasong missiles that can hit military and industrial targets deep in the South, IFANS said.

"With the deployment of Rodong and SSN-6 missiles and the pursuit to deploy the Taepodong-2, the North is pushing ahead with the construction of new sites and silos" on the east coast and on the border with China, the IFANS report said.
posted by Marko at 8/03/2006 09:19:00 AM

http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2006/8/1/63522.shtml

"China Massacres 50,000 Dogs in Five Days"
NewsMax.com Wires
Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2006

ARTICLE SNIPPET: "SHANGHAI, China -- A county in southwestern China has killed as many as 50,000 dogs in a government campaign ordered after three people died from rabies, official media reported Tuesday.

The five-day massacre in Yunnan province's Mouding county spared only military guard dogs and police canine units, the Shanghai Daily reported, citing local media."

placemark

Update and follow-up on the German train plot:

German Train Terror [The Islamists Tried To Blow Up Two Trains]

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1677761/posts

Any ideas about why PM Blair is postponing his vacation?

Sounds like it was worse than initially reported.

O'Hare FAA building may have been shot

FBI and Chicago police officers are investigating a possible bullet hole discovered in the window of an FAA building attached to O'Hare International Airport's radar tower......

http://www.dailyherald.com/story.asp?id=214098

Two more possible sniper attacks near Hammond (Indiana)
Nine incidents reported in 10 days

Drivers are proceeding with caution after a series of possible sniper attacks in northwest Indiana. Authorities believe someone is targeting vehicles along Cline Avenue in Hammond, but have yet to find the smoking gun.

Police are reportedly questioning a person of interest identified by tips from the public, but said no suspect is in custody.............
http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=local&id=4427327

New story (South Dakota)

Bulk phone buys raise suspicions
http://www.rapidcityjournal.com/articles/2006/08/04/news/local/news13.txt

Islamic group: 200 militants sent to bomb 'Israel's vital interests'
Last update - 09:04 04/08/2006

JAKARTA - More than 200 Islamic militants from Southeast Asia have been sent on missions to bomb Israel's "vital interests" and countries that support the Jewish state, their leader said on Friday.

The militants have been trained to carry out suicide bombings to avenge Israel's military strikes on the Palestinian territories and Lebanon, said Suaib Didu, chairman of the Jakarta-based ASEAN Muslim Youth Movement.

Excerpted

http://haaretz.com/hasen/spages/746587.html

Philipines: Muslim Cleric Suspected Of Having Links With Abu Sayyef Detained

Cotabato City, 4 August (AKI) - A Filipino Muslim cleric was detained over alleged links with the Abu Sayyaf terrorist organization, police and military officials told Adnkronos International (AKI) on Friday. Senior Inspector Samson Obatay, the city's police spokesperson, confirmed that Hussain Abedin was a suspected member of the group Abu Sofia and was arrested at 7.00 pm at the terminal of Weena Buss Company in Cotabato City, in Mindanao, southern Philippines on Thursday.

Excerpted

http://www.adnki.com/index_2Level_English.php?cat=Security&loid=8.0.327610412&par=

Brit sniper dispatches 39 Taliban

the Taliban is so deadly he has earned a chilling nickname — The Man Who Never Misses. The unerring Army sharpshooter has killed 39 rebel fighters single-handedly.

His marksmanship is so lethal that rumours have spread like wildfire through insurgents’ camps, causing panic and confusion.

Excerpted

http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-2006350757,00.html

Wow, that's quite a few now. Somebody's doing a lot of talking. Thanks Velveeta.

Bwhahahahaha! Idiot alert:

Threatening letter to police contains return address
The Associated Press, Aug. 4, 2006

NEW YORK

"Catch me if you can."

Those were the parting words of a taunting missive containing a white power sent to a police station earlier this week. Police had no trouble finding their suspect: He signed the letter and included his return address on the envelope.

Abdullah Date, 18, was charged with sending the threatening letter to the 73rd Precinct in Brooklyn's East New York section, and ordered held without bail, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Thursday in Brooklyn federal court. The white powder turned out to be harmless.

Authorities said Date, who was arrested on Tuesday, has had other run-ins with police, but the complaint dealt only with an incident last month in which Date allegedly threw vials of crack out of the window of his Brooklyn home while police watched.

The obscenity-filled letter, allegedly mailed in anger over the drug bust, said: "Ha, Ha (you) thought it was anthrax." It ended with "Catch me if you can," and was signed Abdullah Date, according to the complaint said. His home address appeared on the envelope, it said.
http://www.tkb.org/NewsStory.jsp?storyID=133665