Two in San Diego plead guilty in plot to sell anti-aircraft missiles

[hang a left]

to terrorists.

By Seth Hettena
ASSOCIATED PRESS
4:19 p.m. March 3, 2004

SAN DIEGO – Two defendants admitted their roles Wednesday in a plot to sell Stinger anti-aircraft missiles to the Taliban and al-Qaeda, authorities said. A D V E R T I S E M E N T


Ilyas Ali, a naturalized U.S. citizen born in India, and Muhamed Abid Afridi of Pakistan pleaded guilty to providing material support to terrorists and conspiracy to distribute heroin and hashish, according to the U.S. Attorney's office.

The case against a third defendant, Syed Mustajab Shah of Pakistan, is pending.

In a plea bargain, Ali and Afridi admitted they planned to sell 5 tons of hashish and a half-ton of Pakistani heroin in exchange for cash and four shoulder-fired Stinger missiles, which they intended to sell to the Taliban. Such missiles can be used to shoot down airplanes, including commercial jets.

more
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/nation/terror/20040303-1619-drugs-terrorism.html



How did these guys get attorneys? This story stinks to high heaven.

[WaywardSon]

1. This is old news...

I live just south of S.D. At least one or two of the 911 attackers was flight trained here. We have a large Middle Eastern community here. Both Ali and Afridi were denounced by the community. Go figure.

[newyawker99]

4. Hi WaywardSon!!

Welcome to DU!! :toast:

[The Stranger]

2. "How did these guys get attorneys?"

That's that pesky Constitution thingey again. Used to be you just go get you a posse. Ayup.

[hang a left]

3. I thought that the Patriot Act

axed counsel for enemy combatants.