Friday, February 19, 2010

Food poisoning plot at U.S. base might be linked to wider network

Reports are emerging that up to five Muslim Arabic translators who are part of an Arabic translation program identified as “09 Lima” at the Fort Jackson, SC U.S. Military training facility were questioned and detained last December regarding a plan to poison the food supply at the military base. The program consists of individuals whose “first” language is Arabic. They are categorized, according to the U.S. Army Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) code, as translators/interpreters.

News reports cite Chris Grey, a spokesman for the Army’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID), speaking to Fox News and local affiliates that the investigation began two months ago although so far, “there is no credible information to support the allegations.”

According to a military source at the installation speaking to this investigator on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitive and ongoing nature of this investigation, however, paints a somewhat different picture. According to this source, “hints of an alleged plot to poison the food supply at the military installation was uncovered during the course of another, unrelated investigation into the disappearance of five Washington, DC area Muslims who went missing in late November, and who are believed to have traveled abroad for Islamic jihad training.”

Initially, one of the Arabic translators at Fort Jackson was believed to have been in contact with at least one of the five missing Muslim students. The investigation developed from there, and ‘some level of communication’ was discovered to suggest a plan to poison the food supply at the base. Although never put into action, the investigation widened as it appeared to involve at last three to four additional Arabic translators, all Muslims specifically recruited for the army’s translation program,” stated this source.

This source added that while the plan “was discovered in its most early stages, it is still a matter of grave concern.” News of this alleged plot comes at the heels of an extensive report of Islamic jihad infiltration within our prisons and military installations.

http://homelandsecurityus.com/?p=3514