NYC Raid Focuses On Denver Terror Cell
DENVER –The massive FBI probe that triggered raids in New York City is focused on a Denver-based terror cell plotting another attack on the scale of 9/11, the New York Daily News reported Tuesday. A Denver man, detained and then released Monday in connection with the New York City terrorism raids, had recently traveled to Pakistan before he showed up in New York last Thursday with bomb-making documents, other law enforcement officials told ABC News.
Hundreds of FBI agents are “on the ground in Colorado, conducting round-the-clock surveillance on five suspects,” the Daily News reported.
Authorities raided properties in New York City Monday, in an effort that was intended to disrupt the plans of the terror suspect, whose foreign travels had been tracked by the FBI.
FBI spokesman James Margolin confirmed that authorities executed search warrants at multiple locations in connection with what he called an “ongoing investigation.” He would not elaborate.
The execution of search warrants came after days of surveillance.
Bomb-making materials were not found during the New York City raids, according to ABC and additional searches were under way in Colorado.
The Denver man, whose friends call him Najibullah, was allowed to return to Denver and is under close surveillance, ABC reported.
The FBI and Homeland Security officials warned local law enforcement agencies to be on the lookout for materials that could be used to make explosives, 7News learned.
The joint FBI and Homeland Security intelligence warning lists indicators that could tip off law enforcement to homemade hydrogen peroxide-based explosives, such as people with burn marks on their hands, face or arms; foul odors coming from a room or building; and large industrial fans or multiple window fans.
The warning also said that these homemade explosive materials can be hidden in backpacks, suitcases or plastic containers.
“The FBI is seriously spooked about these guys planning another 9/11,” a former senior counter terrorism official told the Daily News. “This is not some … FBI informant-driven case. This is the real thing.”
A friend told ABC News that federal authorities targeted the wrong man.
“He’s not dangerous. He’s a kid, so he can’t be dangerous,” the friend told ABC News.
The New York Times reported that the man moved to Colorado about eight months ago. The Times reported he is of Afghan descent.
A White House spokesman said the president “has been kept fully apprised of developments” but referred all further questions to the FBI.
The Washington Post reported that high-level federal officials delivered classified briefings Monday on Capitol Hill.
Sources familiar with the Washington briefings said it was unclear how close the plot was to acquiring weapons or selecting a target, but several unspecified factors, including uncertainty over the scope of the threat, prompted the raids.
