FBI: Suspected Arms Dealer Sought 50 Missiles

Thursday, August 14, 2003

(9:21 PM ET)

The Associated Press

According to the FBI affidavit, the probe began in December 2001, when a "cooperating witness" under federal law enforcement control began talking to Lakhani about obtaining anti-aircraft guns and missiles. Lakhani is not believed to be connected to al-Qaeda or any other known terrorist group, federal officials say. Authorities also stressed that there was no specific, credible threat to shoot down an airliner in the United States. But one official said the understanding between Lakhani and the undercover FBI agent was that the missile needed to be capable of bringing down a commercial airliner.

NEWARK, N.J. -- AP
A suspected arms dealer ordered held without bond Wednesday began arranging to smuggle 50 more shoulder-fired missiles into the United States soon after securing one of the weapons, which he thought was intended to shoot down a jetliner, according to an FBI affidavit.

The document also said that Hemant Lakhani, dealing with an undercover FBI agent he believed to be a Muslim terrorist, was recorded as saying Osama bin Laden "did a good thing" and "straightened them all out."

Lakhani, 68, a Briton described as a "significant international arms dealer," is charged with attempting to provide material support and resources to terrorists and acting as an arms broker without a license. (Related story: 'Threat is no longer theoretical')

"The terrorists who have threatened America lost an ally in their attempts to kill our citizens," Christopher J. Christie, the U.S. attorney for New Jersey, said after Lakhani's arraignment.
(More: CNN.com)
2003 © The Associated Press.

Dan