TIMBUKTU, Mali (Reuters) - In early 2008, an official at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security sent a report to his superiors detailing what he called "the most significant development in the criminal exploitation of aircraft since 9/11."Don't worry, though, Obama is on the job. (Image by Bosch Fawstin).The document warned that a growing fleet of rogue jet aircraft was regularly crisscrossing the Atlantic Ocean. On one end of the air route, it said, are cocaine-producing areas in the Andes controlled by the leftist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia. On the other are some of West Africa's most unstable countries.
The report, a copy of which was obtained by Reuters, was ignored, and the problem has since escalated into what security officials in several countries describe as a global security threat.
The clandestine fleet has grown to include twin-engine turboprops, executive jets and retired Boeing 727s that are flying multi-ton loads of cocaine and possibly weapons to an area in Africa where factions of al Qaeda are believed to be facilitating the smuggling of drugs to Europe, the officials say.
Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) has been held responsible for car and suicide bombings in Algeria and Mauritania.
Gunmen and bandits with links to AQIM have also stepped up kidnappings of Europeans for ransom, who are then passed on to AQIM factions seeking ransom payments.
The aircraft hopscotch across South American countries, picking up tons of cocaine and jet fuel, officials say.
They then soar across the Atlantic to West Africa and the Sahel, where the drugs are funneled across the Sahara Desert and into Europe.
An examination of documents and interviews with officials in the United States and three West African nations suggest that at least 10 aircraft have been discovered using this air route since 2006.
Officials warn that many of these aircraft were detected purely by chance. They caution that the real number involved in the networks is likely considerably higher.
All of us, every single man, woman, and child on the face of the Earth were born with the same unalienable rights; to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. And, if the governments of the world can't get that through their thick skulls, then, regime change will be necessary.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Al Qaeda Building a Fleet of 727's, Executive Jets, and Turboprops
From Reuters (with thanks to HRW):
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6 comments:
This is oneof those stories so crazy and far out your mind is going this must be freepers or Larouchians, or COunterpunch or Rense or something equally nuts.
Then you see the Reuters story. Then you do a little research on the authors and find, IF ANYTHING center to slightly left of center, and tidbits like Bronstein being EXPERT in south American reportage, esp with rebel factions and guerrilla operations and you wonder
W
T
F
Where is Obama?
Snorkeling?
Where is the counter terrorism group?
Where are some CVA's and F-18's mid ocean where no one can see WHAT is going on?
Maybe he think Al Qaeda has the right to an Air Force.
Pastorius
Maybe we shouldn't worry so much, Obama said he was going to get serious when it comes to terrorism.
- : )
Thanks for the cartoon, Damien. I saved it, and I'll use it in the future. I'm sure I'll have ample opportunity.
Pastorius,
Your welcome!
US ‘oblivious’ to al-Qaida’s ‘aviation network’ via MSNBC
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