Here is an article from the real world of underground arms dealings - an Indian born migrant with British Papers was arrested in New Jersey (USA) for trying to tie up a deal that will eventaully lead to a delivery of 200 Igla shoulder launched missiles.
The delivery was intended for an underground Al Qaeda cell operating in the USA, targetting civilian aircrafts taking off from airports in the USA.
A Malaysian was also arrested for helping in this transaction by laundering US$500,000 to cover the track of the money in this deal.
This deal was busted by a joint op started with a tip from Russian Security to FBI, and roped in security agencies in Russia, USA and UK.
50-missile deal was in the works FBI describes arrested Indian-born Briton as a significant arms dealer who also offered to sell as many as 200 missiles NEWARK (New Jersey) - The British man accused of trying to sell a shoulder-fired Russian SA-18 Igla missile to shoot down a jetliner, had begun arranging to smuggle 50 more missiles into the United States after securing one of the weapons.
A Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) affidavit described Hemant Lakhani, 68, as a 'significant international arms dealer' who offered to sell as many as 200 missiles to an undercover agent posing as a Somali extremist.
He was charged on Wednesday with attempting to provide material support and resources to terrorists and acting as an arms broker without a licence.
He faces penalties of up to 25 years' jail and US$1.25 million (S$2.2 million) in fines.
Lakhani was arrested at a hotel near Newark Liberty International Airport, after an 18-month investigation by Britain's MI-5 and MI-6, Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) and the American FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force in Newark.
He appeared in a packed courtroom with Moinuddeen Ahmed Hameed, a resident of Malaysia, who was arrested in New York on Tuesday, and charged with conspiring to operate a money laundering operation as part of a scheme to pay for the missiles.
They had their hands cuffed in front of them, and neither man spoke. They were ordered held without bail pending an Aug 20 hearing.
Officials also announced money laundering charges against Yehuda Abraham, 76, of New York City. He was said to have handled the funds for the initial missile purchase.
His bail was set at US$10 million. Both Abraham and Hameed could face up to five years in prison and a US$250,000 fine.
Russian authorities had passed on a tip about Lakhani's activities to the FBI, US officials said.
The FBI affidavit said the probe began in December 2001, when a 'cooperating witness' began talking to Lakhani about obtaining anti-aircraft guns and missiles.
Lakhani, an Indian-born Muslim, offered him as many as 200 missiles.
He agreed to deliver the first missile after he obtained it from Russian agents posing as sellers, said Mr Christopher Christie, the US attorney for New Jersey.
Mr Christie said Hameed had been summoned by Lakhani from Malaysia to launder a US$500,000 down payment on an additional 50 missiles that undercover agents sought from Lakhani, after one missile - a dummy supplied by the Russians - was shipped at a cost of US$86,000.
Commenting on Lakhani's arrest, President George W. Bush declared US airlines and airports safe. 'The fact that we were able to sting this guy is a pretty good example of what we're doing in order to protect the American people,' he said.
In Moscow, FSB spokesman Sergei Ignatchenko hailed the joint sting operation as marking the dawn of a new era in cooperation between Russia and its former Cold War era foes. 'It took place for the first time since the end of the Cold War, when we opposed each other.' -- AP, AFP, Los Angeles Times
THE START OF THE STING OPERATIONTHE probe began in December 2001, when a 'cooperating witness' began talking to Hemant Lakhani about obtaining anti-aircraft guns and missiles, an FBI affidavit said.
Lakhani, an Indian-born Muslim, offered him as many as 200 missiles. He agreed to deliver the first missile after he obtained it from Russian agents posing as sellers, said Mr Christopher Christie, the US attorney for New Jersey.
Moinuddeen Ahmed Hameed was summoned by Lakhani from Malaysia to launder a US$500,000 down payment on 50 more missiles that undercover agents sought from Lakhani, after one missile - a dummy supplied by the Russians - was shipped at a cost of US$86,000.
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