Investigators chase bomber's money trail
Source: Agencies |
May 8, 2010, Saturday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
INVESTIGATORS of the failed car bombing in Times Square are looking for a money courier they say helped funnel cash from overseas to finance a Pakistani-American's plans to blow up a crude gasoline-and-propane bomb in the heart of New York, said a law enforcement official.
Investigators have the name of a courier they believe helped Faisal Shahzad pay for the used sport utility vehicle and other materials to rig up a car bomb that would have caused a huge fireball in Times Square if it had gone off, said the official on condition of anonymity. The official didn't know how much money changed hands.
United States law enforcement officials traveled to Pakistan -- where Shahzad spent five months before returning to the US in February -- to question four alleged members of an al-Qaida-linked militant group. Investigators are trying to trace his movements there and looking into the possible financing of the operation between the Pakistan-born budget analyst and foreign terror groups.
Shahzad, 30, who remains in custody on terrorism and weapons charges, has had no apparent job since February but had money to rent an apartment in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and buy boxes of fireworks from a Pennsylvania store and a rifle in Connecticut.
He paid for the used SUV with 13 US$100 bills, authorities say, then tried to blow up the vehicle in Times Square last Saturday.
Officials have been investigating if Shahzad got money from militant groups, including the Pakistani Taliban, which originally claimed responsibility for the bombing attempt then backed off that claim.
A spokesman said on Thursday the Pakistani Taliban had nothing to do with the attempted bombing, but added: "Such attacks are welcome."
"We have no relation with Faisal. However, he is our Muslim brother," said Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq. "We feel proud of Faisal. He did a brave job."
Since his arrest Monday, Shahzad admitted to the failed bombing and has cooperated in the investigation, authorities say. He has not yet appeared in court.
Still, police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said investigators want to find out if "what he's saying is in fact the truth."
Investigators have the name of a courier they believe helped Faisal Shahzad pay for the used sport utility vehicle and other materials to rig up a car bomb that would have caused a huge fireball in Times Square if it had gone off, said the official on condition of anonymity. The official didn't know how much money changed hands.
United States law enforcement officials traveled to Pakistan -- where Shahzad spent five months before returning to the US in February -- to question four alleged members of an al-Qaida-linked militant group. Investigators are trying to trace his movements there and looking into the possible financing of the operation between the Pakistan-born budget analyst and foreign terror groups.
Shahzad, 30, who remains in custody on terrorism and weapons charges, has had no apparent job since February but had money to rent an apartment in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and buy boxes of fireworks from a Pennsylvania store and a rifle in Connecticut.
He paid for the used SUV with 13 US$100 bills, authorities say, then tried to blow up the vehicle in Times Square last Saturday.
Officials have been investigating if Shahzad got money from militant groups, including the Pakistani Taliban, which originally claimed responsibility for the bombing attempt then backed off that claim.
A spokesman said on Thursday the Pakistani Taliban had nothing to do with the attempted bombing, but added: "Such attacks are welcome."
"We have no relation with Faisal. However, he is our Muslim brother," said Taliban spokesman Azam Tariq. "We feel proud of Faisal. He did a brave job."
Since his arrest Monday, Shahzad admitted to the failed bombing and has cooperated in the investigation, authorities say. He has not yet appeared in court.
Still, police Commissioner Raymond Kelly said investigators want to find out if "what he's saying is in fact the truth."
- About Us
- |
- Terms of Use
- |
-
RSS - |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Contact Us
- |
- Shanghai Call Center: 962288
- |
- Tip-off hotline: 52920043
- 沪ICP证：沪ICP备05050403号-1
- |
- 互联网新闻信息服务许可证：31120180004
- |
- 网络视听许可证：0909346
- |
- 广播电视节目制作许可证：沪字第354号
- |
- 增值电信业务经营许可证：沪B2-20120012
Copyright © 1999- Shanghai Daily. All rights reserved.Preferably viewed with Internet Explorer 8 or newer browsers.
