Posted on 09/26/2001 1:26:41 PM PDT by marshmallow
Seven men have been detained under the Terrorism Act 2000 after being found hidden in a vehicle at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk.
The men, six of whom are thought to be Iraqis, were concealed in a civilian lorry, which is believed to have entered the UK on Wednesday.
A seventh man, thought to be German, has also been arrested.
The stowaways were discovered when the lorry in which they were travelling was stopped during a routine search at the entrance to the base.
Noises were heard from inside the vehicle and police were called to the base by military personnel shortly before midday.
The men were found locked in a compartment under the lorry.
'Illegal immigration'
In a statement, Suffolk Police said: "All seven men were arrested in connection with offences relating to illegal immigration.
"Because of the circumstances surrounding their discovery, all seven men were additionally detained under the Terrorism Act 2000."
The white lorry remained within a sealed off cordon tonight as investigations continued.
Army personnel were also providing security at the scene. The base is used by the United States Air Force and is about 70 miles from Harwich, from which a number of ferry routes operate.
Colonel John Snider, vice commander of the 48th Fighter Wing stationed at the base, said: "It's an excellent reminder to us all to be vigilant when it comes to force protection. "You never know what might happen."
The men are being held at an undisclosed location.
This is extremely misleading, IMO. Odd are this man is an Arab man who immigrated to Germany...
We must hope that they are being treated as decently as they would have probably acted. It will be interesting if we hear just why they were trying to sneak into a U.S. military base.
I thought of that after I posted. What are their religous beliefs? I have heard they go through Turkey to immigrate to Germany. Germany is loaded with Turks.
Let the SAS work them over for a few days, then turn them over to the US.
Bingo!!!
I was wondering what happened to Andreas Strassmeir.
Tin foil hat off.
Anyone know what goes on at RAF Lakenheath in Suffolk? Why pick that base to sneak into?
first of all, this article is somewhat wrong...they werent found in a "routine search" at the gate.... they went through the gate the lorry was not searched.. they were found in the lorry that was delivering goods to a store on the base by the driver. the driver was mortified and he couldnt have known they were in there cuz now his ass is on the line. i truly believe that these seven people had no idea they were going to a military base. i believe that they were just trying to get into the UK and just got on the wrong truck... i was there when it happened.. i work at the place where they were found.
I think someone might want to check some dates here.
The article is from the BBC, which is only slightly more trustworthy than Reuters or the New York Times.
Articles are posted for examination on FR, and Freepers on the ground like yourself come in and fill us in with the real facts.
Welcome to FR, and make yourself at home.:)
I can't understand it, BB. The UK has harbors that illegals have to come into, the UK being basically two large islands. You should see what we have to put up with the oncoming Mexican tide from the southern land border, and anybody else that wants to come in from the north from Canada! We pay bazillions in Homeland Security and what we get is long lines at our airports. Go figure....
Interesting.
My gut says probe. The task of the cell was to test security to improve the odds for those actually tasked with a destructive mission.
The ACLU types (BCLU?) will whine and moan and dissuede the law enforcement types from dilligence.
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