What I think that is important lesson here is maintaining operational security. The Feds are putting more emphasis on mastering the human domain/terrain (a la Jade Helm)
Of course it’s important to keep your mouth shut, but that must be balanced with the need to remain in contact with other like minded preppers. You really need to know who your dealing with and any new or prospective members of a group need to have a background check. It’s likely that these guys were careless and someone called in a tip. A paper trail is not a good thing when buying ‘stuff’ like fireworks, road flares.
In future, the Feds are going be doing a lot more infiltration.
No guns here, sir (tragic boating accident)
...background check.
Yep.