Al-Qaida Suspect Arrested In New York City

MSNBC | August 4, 2003 | MSNBC

[Peach]

Al-Qaida suspect arrested in NYC

By Lisa Myers NBC NEWS NEW YORK, Aug. 4 — The FBI has arrested a Pakistani man with alleged ties to al-Qaida in New York City, NBC News has learned.

THE MAN is alleged to have close ties to the mastermind of the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. What most worries senior law enforcement officials is that the man is involved with the shipping industry. About four months ago, in the heart of New York’s garment district, agents from the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force arrested a young Pakistani man as he sat at his desk in the office of an import company. The case is sealed. But senior U.S. law enforcement officials tell NBC News they believe the man, Uzair Paracha, is closely connected to Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, the alleged al-Qaida mastermind arrested in Pakistan in March. Paracha is still being held in New York City as a material witness. The officials say he may be charged with providing material support to al-Qaida as early as this week.

AL-QAIDA MEMBER? The officials say they do not yet know if Paracha is actually a member of al-Qaida and have no information he was planning any specific terror attacks. Officials also do not believe the company where Paracha was arrested is connected to terrorism. Their biggest concern: what Paracha might have been able to do. Paracha’s father runs a clothing export firm in Karachi, Pakistan, that regularly ships large containers full of clothing to Newark, N.J. “This is something that would concern me greatly,” said Rick Hahn. Hahn, a former FBI counter-terrorism agent, says al-Qaida has used or attempted to use containers to smuggle both terrorists and deadly materials. “The potential for danger lies in the fact that they could bring in weapons of mass destruction, even large quantities of high-quality explosives,” said Hahn.

PAKISTAN ARREST

Paracha’s father, Saifullah, was about to board a plane in Karachi last month when he disappeared — arrested by Pakistani police, his family believes. U.S. sources say the father is in custody. Another man linked to Khalid Shaikh Mohammed, Ohio truck driver Iyman Faris, recently pleaded guilty to providing material support to al-Qaida — even scouting locations for future attacks. Paracha’s lawyer would not confirm or deny that his client is connected to al-Qaida. He expects terrorism charges to be filed. He called the situation “tragic” and says his client is caught up in “factors way over his head.” He tells NBC News that other family members also are under investigation.

Lisa Myers is NBC’s senior investigative correspondent.

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p://msnbc.com/news/948273.asp?0cv=CB10

[ConservativeMan55]

This is hugh! Now if they would only arrest the Clintons we could deal a major blow to the terrorists!

[Peach]

The Clinton's have pardoned more terrorists than they ever captured/killed. New mantra for if Hillary runs.

[Mudbug]

Four months ago?

[ConservativeMan55]

Since Clinton himself aided and abedded the terrorists I believe you could make a real case for having him locked up.

[Peach]

Regardless of when WE find out about these arrests, I believe it's newsworth, especially with regard to this person's ties to 9/11 and NYC.

[ConservativeMan55]

What was four months?

[Bigg Red]

What was four months?

##
The article says that's when they arrested the guy.

[Pharmboy]

Wow! A Paki-controlled import/export business that might be involved with Al Qaeda...who woulda thunk it! (/sarcasm)

Nice post...

[chachacha]

JUST SHOOT-UM

[DJ Frisat]

Since Clinton himself aided and abedded the terrorists..."

Don't be ridiculous... he didn't even abed Monica Lewinski, the Terrible. He only didn't have sex with that woman. Sheesh...

[blam]

"Paracha’s lawyer would not confirm or deny that his client is connected to al-Qaida. He expects terrorism charges to be filed. He called the situation “tragic” and says his client is caught up in “factors way over his head.” He tells NBC News that other family members also are under investigation."

Shoot!

[CholeraJoe]

Look for the gubmint to parcel out info on terrorists, WMD, Saddam, IRA philanthropism, UFO's, tinfoil hats, 70 MPG engines and homosexuals having babies until the evil Republinazis are re-elected.

/Extreme Sarcasm

[Calpernia]

>>>Pakistani man as he sat at his desk in the office of an import company.

TABA?

[Mudbug]

Regardless of when WE find out about these arrests, I believe it's newsworth, especially with regard to this person's ties to 9/11 and NYC.

Agree about the newsorthiness...I'm just trying to picture someone being arrested by feds at his desk in NYC and it taking 4 months for anyone to make this news, and even then NBC. If this guy's really a big haul, then it seems it would have been all over the place when it happened.

[ladyinred]

Qaida has used or attempted to use containers to smuggle both terrorists and deadly materials. “The potential for danger lies in the fact that they could bring in weapons of mass destruction, even large quantities of high-quality explosives,” said Hahn.

Then don't let them! Gosh, is that so hard for them to figure out? Check each ship, or don't let them in port at all.

[chiller]

The potential shipping connection scares the s**t out of me. Thrilled. THRILLED they've had this guy for 4 months.

[Mudbug]

Yes, I'm thrilled, too. The shipping threat scares the S#*t out of New Orleanians as well.

[GOP_1900AD]

Ping.

[Peach]

It's all curious, considering it's NYC, AQ and the guy was in SHIPPING, which is one of my big concerns with these guys.