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Netters
Can you imagine if this was an African?
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By CURT ANDERSON, Associated Press Writer WASHINGTON - The FBI (news - web sites) has arrested a British man as part of an international sting operation targeting an alleged plot to smuggle shoulder-fired missiles into the United States, authorities said Tuesday.
The man was arrested in Newark, N.J., according to a senior law enforcement official speaking on condition of anonymity. The man's name and the charges were not immediately disclosed.
The arrest was part of a broader investigation by the FBI, British and Russian authorities, the official said. At least two more arrests were expected.
Another law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity said the British man does not appear to be connected to a known terrorist group. The suspect is thought to be more of an arms dealer or smuggler, the official said.
Authorities stressed no specific credible threat was connected to the alleged plot.
Justice Department (news - web sites) officials had no immediate comment on the case.
Concerns about terrorists using shoulder-fired missiles to shoot down commercial airliners increased in November when two SA-7 missiles narrowly missed an Israeli passenger jet after it took off from Mombassa, Kenya. Officials concluded that al-Qaida probably was behind the attack, which coincided with a bomb blast at a nearby hotel.
Hundreds and perhaps thousands of SA-7s — heat-seeking rockets that can hit low-flying aircraft within three miles — are said to be available on the worldwide arms market. Older missile launchers can be bought for as little as several thousand dollars.
The Homeland Security Department has asked high-tech companies to look into developing anti-missile technology for commercial planes. Some in Congress have been pushing for more money for the project.
Meantime, the United States has sent experts to domestic airports as well as to airports in Iraq (news - web sites) and major capitals in Europe and Asia to assess security. Among other things, the investigators are determining whether the airports can be defended against shoulder-fired missiles.
World leaders meeting in Evian, France, in June acknowledged the threat posed by shoulder-fired missiles and adopted a plan to restrict sales of the weapons.
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