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March 15 2005
New York Probe Uncovers Plot to Sell Missiles, Arms (Update1)
March 15 (Bloomberg) -- Eighteen people were charged with plotting to
sell shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles and other weapons to a
government informant posing as an arms broker for terrorists, with
one offering to supply non-existent uranium for an attack on New
York's subways, a U.S. prosecutor in New York said today.
The defendants provided photographs of arms for sale, including
grenade launchers and claymore mines, in Armenia, Georgia and other
Eastern European nations, U.S. Attorney David Kelley said in a news
conference.
One of the defendants, an illegal immigrant from Armenia, ``suggested
to the confidential informant that he could obtain enriched uranium
for possible use by terrorists in the subway system,'' Kelley said.
``There was never, however, any such uranium,'' he said.
Seventeen people were arrested in New York, Miami and Los Angeles,
authorities said. Eight assault-style weapons, including AK-47's and
an Uzi, were purchased during the yearlong investigation, they said.
The informant set up a $2 million sale for shoulder-fired,
heat-seeking anti-aircraft missiles, anti-tank weapons, a mortar
launcher and other arms, authorities said.
March 15 2005
New York Probe Uncovers Plot to Sell Missiles, Arms (Update1)
March 15 (Bloomberg) -- Eighteen people were charged with plotting to
sell shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles and other weapons to a
government informant posing as an arms broker for terrorists, with
one offering to supply non-existent uranium for an attack on New
York's subways, a U.S. prosecutor in New York said today.
The defendants provided photographs of arms for sale, including
grenade launchers and claymore mines, in Armenia, Georgia and other
Eastern European nations, U.S. Attorney David Kelley said in a news
conference.
One of the defendants, an illegal immigrant from Armenia, ``suggested
to the confidential informant that he could obtain enriched uranium
for possible use by terrorists in the subway system,'' Kelley said.
``There was never, however, any such uranium,'' he said.
Seventeen people were arrested in New York, Miami and Los Angeles,
authorities said. Eight assault-style weapons, including AK-47's and
an Uzi, were purchased during the yearlong investigation, they said.
The informant set up a $2 million sale for shoulder-fired,
heat-seeking anti-aircraft missiles, anti-tank weapons, a mortar
launcher and other arms, authorities said.