Connecticut Resident Who Manufactured and Distributed Explosives Pleads Guilty in Manhattan Federal Court

Preet Bharara, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that NICHOLAS LAHINES pled guilty today to manufacturing and dealing in explosives and firearms, conspiring to distribute methamphetamine, and immigration fraud. LAHINES, 38, a resident of Bridgeport, Connecticut, was arrested in the Bronx on May 19, 2011, immediately after selling eight cylinders containing explosives to a confidential source of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Joint Terrorism Task Force. LAHINES pled guilty in Manhattan federal court before U.S. District Judge Leonard B. Sand.

Manhattan U.S. Attorney Preet Bharara stated: “Nicholas Lahines’ stock in trade was homemade bombs that he built to cause the maximum amount of harm. And if they’d gotten into the wrong hands, they would have done just that. But thankfully, they did not, and he will now be punished for his crimes.”

According to the complaint, the indictment, the information to which LAHINES pled guilty, the plea agreement, and statements made in court:

During the spring of 2011, law enforcement officers came to suspect that an individual, later identified as LAHINES, was involved in the distribution of explosive devices, and they directed a confidential source (“CS”) to meet with him.

On May 19, 2011, law enforcement officers conducted surveillance of LAHINES’s residence in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and followed him to a parking lot in the Bronx. There, the CS entered LAHINES’s car, and LAHINES gave the CS two plastic containers that he had retrieved from the trunk. Each of the containers held four cylindrical explosive devices. During the sale of the devices, LAHINES discussed with the CS the components that he had used to make them, including ball bearings, and told the CS that he had added glass and metal to such explosive devices in the past. The CS paid LAHINES $3,200 for the devices, and got out of the car.

LAHINES was then placed under arrest, and bomb technicians immediately took custody of the devices, which were determined to be live explosives in a subsequent forensic examination.

LAHINES was advised of, and waived, his Miranda rights. LAHINES admitted that the eight cylinders were homemade explosive devices that he had made in the vicinity of his Connecticut residence and then transported from Connecticut to New York.

Pursuant to a search warrant, law enforcement officers searched LAHINES’s Connecticut residence. During the search, the agents recovered tubes, cord-like material, and caps similar in appearance to those used to construct the devices that LAHINES had sold to the CS. Agents also found a small jar containing powdery residue in the residence, which detonated in the course of being examined, injuring a law enforcement officer.

In addition to his criminal activity relating to the manufacture and distribution of explosives, LAHINES participated in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine. Law enforcement officers found various items that are used in the illegal manufacture and distribution of methamphetamine, including hundreds of ephedrine tablets in the trunk of his car.

Law enforcement officers also discovered that LAHINES had engaged in immigration fraud. Specifically, LAHINES filed false documents and other materials with the United States Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service concerning his marriage.

LAHINES pled guilty to four offenses which carry the following potential penalties:

Count Charge Minimum Prison Term Maximum Prison Term

1 Manufacturing and Dealing in Explosive Materials Without a License Not Applicable 10 Years

2 Manufacturing and Dealing in Firearms Without a License Not Applicable Five Years

3 Conspiracy to Distribute Methamphetamine Five Years 40 Years

4 Immigration Fraud Not Applicable 10 Years

LAHINES is scheduled to be sentenced by Judge Sand on June 18, 2012, at 11:00 a.m.

Mr. Bharara praised the investigative efforts of the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (“JTTF”) in New York and Connecticut, especially those JTTF members from the FBI New York Field Office and the New York City Police Department, the Bronx District Attorney’s Office, the Connecticut State Police Department, the FBI New Haven Field Office, the trial attorneys with the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Security Division, and the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Connecticut. He also thanked Kimberly Mertz, the FBI Special Agent in Charge of the New Haven Field Office.

This case is being handled by the Office’s Terrorism and International Narcotics Unit. Assistant United States Attorneys John P. Cronan and Sean S. Buckley are in charge of the prosecution.

Public Safety Technology in the News

Editor's Note: Many of the technologies are used by domestic law enforcement in their counter-terrorism and/or homeland security role.

Experimental Shoe-Print Database Sees the Soles of Criminals
Wired, (11/20/2008), Ryan Singel

A computer science professor at the University of Buffalo is conducting research to enhance computational forensics for shoeprints. Sargur Srihari is building a search engine containing thousands of shoe images from Internet shoe sites. When complete, the system would allow law enforcement forensics units to submit a photo of a shoe print from a crime scene to quickly obtain the gender, size and brand of shoe. The professor and his graduate students initially developed a shoe tread database containing more than 10,000 pairs of men's shoes. Students then stepped in powder to create images of the soles. Srihari is working on algorithms to identify likely matches for the images for partial foot prints. The work is being done with a $300,000 grant from the Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice.
blog.wired.com/27bstroke6/2008/11/professor-sees.html

Prisons Beefing Up Teleconferencing to Save Money
Associated Press via Hartford Courant, (11/23/2008)

Connecticut is the latest state to increase use of courtroom teleconferencing to improve public safety and save money. Connecticut finished installing teleconferencing equipment in all of its 18 correctional facilities in October. During that month about 150 inmates used the system to participate in hearings on parole, civil and family and immigration and customs matters. Corrections officials say using teleconferencing spares them from having to move inmates between the jail and hearings. Other states that are using teleconferences between judges and inmates include Kansas, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Caroline, South Dakota and Tennessee.
www.courant.com/news/local/statewire/hc-ap-ct-teleconferencinginov23,0,4504091.story

RISC: Repository for Individuals of Special Concern Rapid Search Functionality
FBI, (11/2008)

The FBI's Next Generation Identification (NGI) Repository for Individuals of Special Concern (RISC) rapid search functionality system will provide officers with important identifying fingerprint information. When this new system becomes functional, during a vehicle stop an officer could take a minimum of two or a maximum of 10 fingerprint images from an individual using a mobile device and submit it through a participating state's identification bureau to FBI RISC. RISC in turn performs a limited repository search of persons of special interest, such as wanted persons, known or suspected terrorists or sexual offender registry subjects. The goal of NGI is to process this submission within seconds, and the expectation is to respond with a red, yellow or green flag. A red response means a viable candidate has been identified and the response includes category of hit, FBI number and master name. A yellow response means the level of confidence that a candidate is viable is bel! ow the level required for a positive match, and green means the search did not identify a viable candidate. RISC will provide law enforcement with rapid/mobile identification services that quickly assess the potential threat level of an encountered individual. The FBI is currently prototyping this capability. Deployment of RISC will be dependent on capabilities of individual state and local agencies. For more information visit the FBI Web site at www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/ngi.htm or call (304) 625-5590.

Texas Prison Officials Plan Cell Phone Jamming Test
American Statesman, (11/26/08), Mike Ward

Texas wants to be the next state to test cell phone jamming technology in prisons. Prison inmates can use cell phones to commit criminal activities while incarcerated. Jamming prevents cell tower transmissions from reaching the phone. South Carolina recently tested jamming technology in one of its prisons and wants to conduct a pilot program to test the technology further. Federal law, however, allows federal agencies to obtain authority to jam cell signals, but states and localities are prohibited from doing so by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Local authorities are working with members of Congress and the FCC to determine if it is possible to revise the law.
www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/11/26/1126cellphones.html

High-Tech Radio Microwaves to Connect law enforcement in State
Sidney Herald, (11/18/2008), Louisa Barber

Public safety agencies in Montana have new tools to communicate easily across the state. As part of the Interoperability Montana Project, which has been underway for several years, authorities recently began using high-tech radio microwave technology to communicate securely using encrypted two-way radios. The state is also working on developing an interoperable mobile data system in cooperation with the state highway patrol and department of transportation.
www.sidneyherald.com/articles/2008/11/19/news/doc4923797542b02192281513.txt

TSA Tests Boarding Pass technology
Security Directory News, (11/25/2008), Leischen Stelter

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has completed a test of an automated system that encrypts personal passenger information on a boarding pass. The Laser Data Command's PassPro system uses images, fingerprints and documentation such as a driver's license or passport to confirm passenger identity. The information is encrypted and compressed into a barcode and printed onto the boarding pass, which can be scanned by airport security. The system is designed to improve security and speed passengers through the process. The system was tested at the Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport using law enforcement officers as a test group. Outcome of the testing is confidential.
www.securitydirectornews.com/article/sd200811kwrHDZ/TSA%20tests%20boarding%20pass%20technology

North Carolina law enforcement Finds Success in Tracking Crime Suspects
PR Newswire, (12/02/2008)

North Carolina has joined 11 other states that use a multijurisdictional computerized system that allows law enforcement agencies to search for criminals nationwide with a touch of a keyboard. Justice Xchange users have access to booking records, warrants and other information from law enforcement agencies in other states. The system can also be used to locate missing persons and witnesses. Other states currently using the system are Texas, New York, Florida, Washington, Kentucky, Utah, Arkansas, Indiana, South Dakota, Maryland and Arizona.
www.ibtimes.com/prnews/20081202/nc-appriss-crimetrack.htm

Police Setting Up Database on Gangs
Boston Globe, (11/30/2008), Jay Atkinson

Massachusetts law enforcement agencies will soon have access to a collaborative database containing information on violent street criminals, especially street gangs. The MassGangs database project was developed with a $1.2 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice and will have information on a suspect's associates, criminal history and gang affiliation. Data can be shared immediately as it becomes available. Officers will fill out a form that assigns a point value to a suspect's gang-related criteria. Point values are assigned for categories such as "self admission" and "known group tattoo/marking." A score of 10 or more points will register a suspect as a member of a gang. Officials plan to launch the MassGangs database in January 2009.
www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2008/11/30/police_setting_up_database_on_gangs/

Johns Hopkins Tests Gunshot Detection System, Police Respond
Security Director News, (11/25/2008), Leischen Stelter

Johns Hopkins University is participating in a gunshot location pilot program. The SECURES Detection System has been installed using 93 sensors mounted on streetlights and buildings surrounding the university's 140-acre campus in Baltimore, Md. If the sensors detect a gunshot, a signal displaying the location is transmitted to the university's communications center, which notifies Baltimore Police to respond. The city of Baltimore will be evaluating the technology during the pilot to decide if it should be used in other parts of town.
www.securitydirectornews.com/article/sd200811pXovn0/Johns%20Hopkins%20tests%20gunshot%20detection%20system,%20police%20respond

Schools to Use Spray for Drug Detection
WSMV Nashville, (11/25/2008), Jonathan Martin

Metropolitan Nashville public schools have decided to use D4D spray to detect illegal drugs. The equipment for the test will be free through a partnership with the Office of Justice Programs' National Institute of Justice. The test can detect more than 10 different drugs based on a color chart. School officials plan to use the spray to test students' desks, cars, book bags and pockets. In the past the schools have used a dog to search for drugs. Officials decided to begin using the spray because of the number of students being busted with marijuana and cocaine.
www.wsmv.com/education/18145960/detail.html

Face of Defense: Soldier Donates Money, R&R Time to Needy

By Army Spc. Evan D. Marcy
Special to American Forces Press Service

Aug. 27, 2008 - Whether it involves time with their families, their personal comforts or even their lives, the duty of soldiers eventually requires sacrifice. Certain soldiers, though, go beyond that call of duty and give more. Army Spc. Timothy Roy of 5th Signal Command's C Company, 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion, has made it his personal endeavor to provide his time and money for those in need.

During his two-week rest and recuperation leave while serving a 15-month deployment in Iraq, Roy and his parents volunteered their time preparing and serving meals at a soup kitchen and shelter near their home in New Hampshire. He also donated $1,000 to the soup kitchen and convinced a large corporation to match his contribution.

"My parents always taught me to put others before myself," Roy said.

He also became involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation by donating $3,000 to grant a wish that was tied to his own interests in computers. His donation was matched with a 17-year-old girl afflicted with lupus, a life-threatening, inflammatory disease. She used the money to buy computer equipment, allowing her to continue her education from home.

"What Specialist Roy did was really remarkable, and shows how much of a good guy he really is," Army 1st Sgt. John Willis, C Company, 44th ESB, said. "Soldiers usually take deployment money and spend it on themselves. I was surprised by how much money came out of his pocket."

Roy said he hoped to set an example. "I figured if people saw me giving back, it would encourage them to do the same," he said. "When they see a soldier trying to give back, when they are already selflessly serving their country, they want to be a part of it as well."

The specialist said it simply feels good to give. "To know that you can make a profound difference in someone's life is a wonderful feeling," said Roy. "I got a letter of thanks from the first child and her mother that I sponsored [through Make-A-Wish], and she said she was moved to tears by my kindness. There's no feeling like that; it's hard to put in words how that made me feel."

This year, Roy is sponsoring another wish through the foundation, and he persuaded the Macy's department store chain to contribute as well. Together, they are providing a small haven for a girl who needs weekly medical treatments.

"We're giving her the room makeover of her dreams," Roy said. "She's always shared a bedroom, and her older sister just moved out, so were making her a place she can call her own."

Roy found another way to give back to the community through a classmate from high school who now teaches at an elementary school in Connecticut. During his deployment, the 5th Signal specialist and students are sharing letters, which provides "an educational experience for them; they are learning about Iraq and what the soldiers are doing here to make things better," Roy explained. "They ask the most innocent questions."

Because the children had never met a soldier, Roy made a three-hour drive to visit them while on R&R leave from Iraq.

"I spent the day with them, answering questions and playing at recesses," he recalled. "It was a great experience. It only takes a few minutes every couple of weeks to write a small letter ... to let them know how things are going. They looked at me with such awe. I was really touched to be a part of their lives."

Roy's first deployment was in 1999 while assigned to the 110th Military Intelligence Battalion, which went into Bosnia as part of a NATO peacekeeping force.

"There were bullet holes everywhere, and I saw a lot of burned-down houses," Roy remembered. "The kids would come up and ask for money. I talked a lot to our translator about the country. Everyone liked us being there; it felt good. We were down there for a good cause. I've spoken to Bosnian forces serving with us here; they said it's gotten a lot better."

While deployed to Iraq, Roy, an information technology specialist, is assigned to the Technical Control Facility help desk on Camp Echo, near Diwaniyah. His role is to manage and troubleshoot Internet, phones and switches, while also providing configuration changes throughout the camp.

Also located at his installation is a provincial reconstruction team, which he said "does a great job of helping poverty in Iraq."

"They go out, meet people personally and give back in a real way to these local communities," he said. "The PRT at Camp Echo has a program to rebuild schools [and] the local infrastructure, while also giving school children brand new laptops."

To the many folks he has touched, Roy could be considered a one-man PRT. For him, it's simply a personal duty to help out the needy.

(Army Spc. Evan D. Marcy serves with the 44th Expeditionary Signal Battalion.)

CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News- August 27, 2008

Managers brace for ’09 budget delays
“Most experts expect the government will run on continuing resolutions for the early part of the coming fiscal year, which starts Oct. 1. So managers are already bracing for the impact of no increase in budgets. At the Homeland Security Department, it likely means delays in moving to a new headquarters; at the Health and Human Services Department, interruptions in plans to beef up pandemic flu preparedness […] At Health and Human Services, a continuing resolution would interrupt delivery of more than $600 million for pandemic flu preparedness and another $1 billion in bioterrorism preparedness. […] Depending on how long it lasts, a continuing resolution could also mean delays for construction of the consolidated DHS headquarters at the St. Elizabeths Hospital campus in Southeast Washington. The General Services Administration is scheduled to start building the Coast Guard headquarters — the first phase of the project — in 2009.” (Federal Times; 26Aug08; Gregg Carlstrom)
http://federaltimes.com/index.php?S=3692118

Suspicious package found on Genesee St. [Utica, New York]
“A suspicious package discovered Monday near the entrance of Adirondack Bank on North Genesee Street in the city turned out to only contain corroded batteries, Utica fire officials said. […] was considered suspicious because it had been sitting near the entrance since Monday morning and nobody knew why it was there, Dunn said. Fire Chief Russell Brooks said the police and fire department followed their protocol by both responding to the scene. ‘We’ve done that ever since the anthrax scares,’ Brooks said.” (Observe Dispatch; 26Aug08) http://www.uticaod.com/archive/x633545838/Suspicious-package-found-on-Genesee-St

Afghan Officials Detain American Boy, U.S. Says
“U.S. authorities said yesterday that Afghan officials have detained since mid-July an 11-year-old U.S. citizen, the son of a Pakistani woman accused of firing at Afghan and U.S. personnel there. […] In a letter to the family of Aafia Siddiqui, a suspected al-Qaeda operative who is in U.S. custody, federal prosecutors said photos and DNA tests strongly suggest that the youngster in Afghan custody is Siddiqui's son, Ahmed. The boy was detained July 18 when Afghan police arrested Siddiqui in what they described as a shootout near a government compound in Ghazni. […] The FBI had spent years seeking information on Siddiqui, a U.S.-educated neuroscientist who officials feared was an al-Qaeda operative with knowledge of biological weapons.” (Washington Post; 26Aug08; Carol D. Leonnig & Candace Rondeaux)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/story/2008/08/26/ST2008082600195.html

Health bill factors in bio-terror
“Titled Public Health (Prevention, Control and Management of Epidemics, Bioterrorism and Disasters) Bill, the act, after cabinet approval, will finally get to replace the 100-year old Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, providing for better epidemic and disaster management - a critical requirement of the times. Naturally, it will for the first time address grave public health issues, including Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC), which India, like other nations, should have recognised much earlier. […] The Act, in its present form, lists 32 epidemic prone diseases and 34 potential bioterrorism agents like the smallpox virus that can be spread from person to person and, anthrax, among others. The importance of the new legislation lies in its enhanced punishment for allowing diseases to spread.” (Tribune News Service; 25Aug08; Aditi Tandon) http://www.tribuneindia.com/2008/20080826/main7.htm

New Oral Vaccine May Protect Against Bubonic Plague
“Researchers from the Institut Pasteur in Paris, France used a less virulent ancestor to the highly infectious bubonic plague to develop a potentially safe, efficient and inexpensive live oral vaccine. […] They report their findings in the August 2008 issue of the journal Infection and Immunity. […] ‘We report that oral inoculation with a Y.
pseudotuberculosis strain, selected for its very low virulence, induces an efficient immunity against bubonic plague without causing adverse reactions,’ say the researchers. ‘This demonstrates that a live attenuated Y. pseudotuberculosis can be a promising vaccine against bubonic plague.’” (Infection Control Today; 26Aug08)
http://www.infectioncontroltoday.com/hotnews/oral-vaccine-against-bubonic-plague.html

Lawmakers proud of decision about BGCA’s response [Madison County, Kentucky]
“A recent policy change at the Blue Grass Chemical Activity (BGCA), located at the Blue Grass Army Depot, has received accolades from U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler, D-Sixth District, and Sens. Mitch McConnell and Jim Bunning, R-Ky. In July, former BGCA Commander Lt. Col. Thomas Closs, submitted a proposal which would have rescinded a policy mandating that all local emergency responders be informed of nerve agent leaks within five minutes. However, outcry from community leaders and elected officials helped retain this current safety policy. ‘The senators and I look forward to the final, safe disposal of these chemical weapons, but we must not forget about the immediate safety of the citizens in Madison County and the surrounding area,’ Chandler said.” (Richmond Register; 27Aug08; Ronica
Shannon)
http://www.richmondregister.com/localnews/local_story_240080641.html

China urges Japan to remove chemical weapons abandoned during WWII
“‘We expect Japan to do its utmost to quicken the process of removing abandoned chemical weapons and wipe out the related threats at an early date,’ Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang told a regular press briefing. Qin's comments came after a court in Tokyo on Monday heard the case concerning two school boys from northeastern China's Jilin Province, who were in 2004 injured by chemical weapons left by Japanese troops […]” (Xinhua; 28Aug08; Editor Yao)
http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2008-08/26/content_9716566.htm

Smiths Detection Security Technologies Selected by U.S. Postal Inspection Service for Mobile Screening
“Smiths Detection, part of the global technology business Smiths Group, today announced that a number of its security technologies have been included in the U.S. Postal Inspection Service Mobile Mail Screening Station (MMSS). The Postal Inspection Service will debut the MMSS at the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. […] The GID-3 (24/7), an ambient air monitoring system […] will […] continuously examine the air inside the MMSS for toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) and Chemical Warfare Agents CWA’s. […] The HazMatID portable system used to identify unknown powders, liquids, pastes and gels found in and around the MMSS. […]”
(Business Wire; 27Aug08; David Olsen)
http://www.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20080827005181&newsLang=en

Accused Terrorist Sues Norway
“The bizarre saga began when Najmuddin Faraj Ahmad, better known as Mullah Krekar, fled an onslaught by former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein's forces in 1991. Krekar, who had been a member of a Kurdish Islamist militant group battling both the Iraqi regime and the largest Kurdish resistance organisation Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), arrived in Norway, where he was granted refugee status. So far so good, but Krekar did not rest on his laurels, according to the U.S., and officials in Kurdish Iraq. Instead, they say, he returned to Iraq on several occasions during the 1990s to help support Islamic militant organisations. […] It has also been accused of masterminding several attacks against Kurdish officials in 2001 and 2003, including suicide bombings, although U.S. allegations that Krekar personally ordered suicide bombings and controlled a chemical weapons factory have never been proven. […] [A Washington Post] article claims the U.S. sent undercover CIA agents to Oslo to abduct Krekar in 2003 -- with quiet acquiescence by the Norwegian government […]” Inter Press Service; 27Aug08; Tarjei Kidd Olsen)
http://www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=43686

Sri Lanka advances on rebel base
“After 25 years of fighting and 70,000 casualties, Sri Lanka's military has won a hard-fought upper hand against separatist Tamil Tigers – and now vows to break their northern stronghold by year's end. […] In January, the government abandoned a Norway-brokered cease-fire and said it would defeat the Tigers by the end of the year. It has since poured $1.5 billion into an all-out offensive that has killed about 6,000 rebels and shrunk their territory in the island's northern Wanni region by nearly 75 percent, according to the Ministry of Defense. […] The military says some advance units are now within artillery range of Kilinochchi, where Tiger chief Velupillai Prabhakaran is thought to be hiding […] One Colombo-based analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity, points out that Prabhakaran is a master tactician who still commands hundreds of ultra-loyal fighters protecting him and possibly even chemical weapons.” (Christian Science Monitor; 28Aug08; Jason Motlagh) http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0828/p07s01-wosc.html

China chemical plant blast death toll rises to five
“A total of five people died, 55 others were injured and 14 were missing after a chemical plant exploded in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region early on Tuesday, rescuers said. […] The plant is in a development zone of Yizhou City, a four-hour car drive from the regional capital of Nanning. The fire, yet to be extinguished, was under control, said Ma Dewen, chief of the region's firefighters general squad. He said about 11,500 people, living within 3 km of the plant, owned by Guangxi Guangwei Chemical Co., were evacuated after the explosion. […] More than 100 anti-chemical warfare professionals were dispatched to the explosion site to scrutinize if there were any explosive chemicals left.” (China Daily; 26Aug08; Source: Xinhua) http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/china/2008-08/26/content_6972661.htm

Vaxin developing game-changing flu vaccine
“A small Birmingham, Alabama company, Vaxin, is testing a revolutionary new flu vaccine that could lessen or end flu vaccine shortages, getting the wrong mix of strains, and fears of deadly pandemic flu. […] The way the vaccine is made could help prevent flu shortages or getting the wrong strains, which happened last year. Vaxin’s flu vaccine is made from cell cultures rather than produced in chicken eggs. […] The use of cell culture manufacturing eliminates the possibility of contamination with the avian flu virus, a risk inherent in egg-based production. The Vaxin process provides higher yields, greater quantities in a faster timeframe, and more reliable manufacturing than the egg-based process.” (Tech Journal South; 26Aug08; Allan Maurer)
http://www.techjournalsouth.com/news/article.html?item_id=5994

Group launches dirty-bomb awareness effort
“The threat posed by a possible dirty-bomb attack in a U.S. city has prompted the creation of a new coalition aimed at raising public awareness. A nationwide group of emergency first responders and Homeland Security experts, along with business and health leaders, announced the launch of the Radiological Threat Awareness Coalition. Officials say the non-profit R-TAC's primary focus will be to increase the American public's understanding of the dangers posed by the threat of a radiological attack in the United States, R-TAC said in a release.” (Middle East Times; 26Aug08)
http://www.metimes.com/Security/2008/08/26/group_launches_dirty-bomb_awareness_effort/3303/

Indictment filed in Lake in the Hills [Illinois] puffer fish toxin case
“A Lake in the Hills man arrested after obtaining large quantities of a rare and lethal puffer fish toxin intended to use the deadly substance as a weapon, according to a federal indictment filed Tuesday. Edward F. Bachner IV, 35, could face life in prison if found guilty of five counts of unlawful possession of tetrodotoxin alleging he obtained the poison five times between November 2006 and June 30 for use as a weapon. The indictment, filed shortly before Bachner appeared in court Tuesday, does not state how or upon whom he intended to use the substance.” (Daily Herald; 26Aug08; Charles Keeshan)
http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=230346

Powder scare empties Ffld. [Fairfield, Connecticut] Theater
“Suspicious white powder in a letter mailed to the Fairfield Theatre Co. prompted the evacuation of the group's downtown building this afternoon. The substance turned out to be harmless. police Capt. Robert Comers said the department received a call from Miles Merrick, manager of the theater company on Sanford Street, about 1:30 p.m. […] The Haz-Mat team and DEP personnel donned protective suits before entering the building and testing the powder to determine if it was laced with anthrax or another dangerous substance.” (CNN Post; 26Aug08; Genevieve Reilly) http://www.connpost.com/breakingnews/ci_10308080

CNS ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD Terrorism.

CBR Weapons and WMD Terrorism News- April 28, 2008

Review ordered for anthrax vaccine refusers
“A federal judge’s decision could lead to clearing the records of military personnel who refused to take mandatory anthrax shots between 1999 and 2004. Judge James Robertson of the district court for the District of Columbia admonished the Air Force Board for the Correction of Military Records, which had rejected a petition by two former Connecticut Air National Guard officers for compensatory relief for back pay and lost promotions after they claim they were forced to resign for refusing the vaccine. The plaintiffs, Thomas Rempfer and the estate of the late Russell Dingle, based their appeal on a separate anthrax vaccine lawsuit.” (Army Times; 28Apr08; William H. McMichael) http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/04/military_anthraxvaccines_042608w/

Article by Universal Detection Technology Featured in the Counter Terrorist Magazine
“Universal Detection Technology, a developer of early-warning monitoring technologies to protect people from bioterrorism and a provider of counter terrorism training and solutions, announced today that a recent article titled ‘Combating the Evolving Threat of Biological Terrorism’ drafted by UDTT's Director of Research and Development, Mr. Amir Ettehadieh has been published in the Counter Terrorist Magazine. The Article describes the bio-terrorist threat facing the nation from both homegrown and foreign terrorist elements and the necessary steps that need to be taken by the government to combat this lethal WMD threat.” (CNN Money; 25Apr08) http://money.cnn.com/news/newsfeeds/articles/marketwire/0390689.htm

Medicine dispensing plan offers escape pod in emergencies
“A large-scale emergency could lead droves of people to line up for medicine at health departments, clinics and other public outreach locations. With those images in mind, public health planners are reaching out to businesses to assist in mass dispensing of medicine from the Strategic National Stockpile in the event of a bioterrorism attack or natural disaster. The process uses points of dispensing (PODs), which are designated dispensing locations for people who are healthy but may have been exposed to specific diseases such as anthrax or tularemia and need medication to avoid becoming ill. A local public health agency operates open PODs, which are available to everyone who lives or works in that community.” (Kansas City Business Journal; 25Apr08; Ellen Jensen) http://www.bizjournals.com/kansascity/stories/2008/04/28/focus4.html?ana=from_rss

Franek Technologies Safeguards State of Wyoming Public Health Laboratory's $1M Investment in Critical Instrumentation
“Based on Comprehensive Analysis, Franek Technologies Develops Customized Solution to Protect the State of Wyoming Public Health Laboratory's $1M Investment in Critical Instrumentation With 25 Additional Certified Power Protection Units […] The state-of-the-art Public Health Laboratory relies on extremely sophisticated instrumentation to conduct high-throughput research to better understand, treat, and ultimately prevent infectious, pandemic, and immunologic diseases, as well as bioterrorism threats. Such long-term testing and processes often rely on highly leveraged robotic automation that is extremely sensitive to uncontrolled electrical and environmental conditions, such as power fluctuations, harmonics, or interruptions.” (Yahoo Finance; 28Apr08; Franek Technologies Press Release) http://biz.yahoo.com/iw/080428/0390822.html

Anthrax Spore Standards Will Be Reference For Anthrax Detection And
Decontamination

“Researchers from the National Institute of Standards and Technology
(NIST) and the U.S. Army Dugway (Utah) Proving Ground have developed reliable methods based on DNA analysis to assess the concentration and viability of anthrax spores after prolonged storage. The techniques and data are essential steps in developing a reliable reference standard for anthrax detection and decontamination.” (Science Daily; 28Apr08) http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/04/080415164309.htm

Helping the watchdog
“The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently approved the temporary assignment of a regional senior health scientist to assist the Berea-based Chemical Weapons Working Group (CWWG). The grassroots coalition’s main goal is to serve as a watchdog to ensure the safe and environmentally sound disposal of chemical weapons being stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Richmond [Kentucky].” (Richmond Register; 28Apr08; Ronica Shannon) http://www.richmondregister.com/localnews/local_story_119090904.html

UN steps up campaign against nuclear, chemical terrorism
“The U.N. Security Council unanimously approved a resolution Friday urging stepped-up efforts to keep weapons of mass destruction out of the hands of terrorists and black marketeers. It calls on all states to fully implement a council resolution approved in April 2004 requiring all 192 U.N. member states to adopt laws to prevent ‘non-state actors’ from acquiring nuclear, chemical or biological weapons. It notes that some countries - which were not identified - haven't filed a report on their efforts that was due in October 2004.” (The Charlotte Observer; 25Apr08; Edith M. Lederer) http://www.charlotte.com/nation/story/596220.html

L.I. [New York] Disaster Drill Simulates 'Dirty Bomb'
“More than 600 emergency workers rehearsed a response to a simulated radioactive ‘dirty bomb’ attack in what authorities called the largest such simulation in Long Island's history. Police, firefighter, medical workers and other personnel from 60 agencies converged Friday on the Suffolk County fire academy in Yaphank. The drill, which also involved 10 hospitals, was running through Saturday afternoon. The scenario involved a deadly dirty bomb explosion at a federal courthouse. A dirty bomb would use conventional explosives to scatter radioactive debris.” (WNBC; 26Apr08) http://www.wnbc.com/news/16008835/detail.html?rss=ny&psp=news

Al Qaeda wouldn't hesitate to blow away a city: That's why we need 42-day detention, says ex MI6 boss
“The former head of MI6 is backing controversial Government plans to hold terror suspects for 42 days without charge, saying it might prevent a dirty bomb attack on Britain. MI6 prides itself on avoiding political debates but former chief Sir Richard Dearlove warns that the UK would ‘regret’ not bringing in longer detention for terror suspects. Sir Richard, 63, who retired from MI6 in 2004, says that in some serious cases the current 28-day limit is not enough to build a case or to gather intelligence on the scale of the threat faced by Britain.” (Daily Mail; 26Apr08; Jason Lewis) http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=562276&in_page_id=1766&ito=1490

CNS ChemBio-WMD Terrorism News is prepared by the Chemical and Biological Weapons Nonproliferation Program of the James Martin Center for Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies in order to bring timely and focused information to researchers and policymakers interested in the fields of chemical, biological, and radiological weapons nonproliferation and WMD terrorism.