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Terrorism Crackdown Goes Beyond Sea-Tac Arrests

POSTED: 5:04 p.m. PDT August 14, 2003

Chris Halsne
KIRO 7 Eyewitness News Investigative Reporter

KIRO 7 Eyewitness News has learned that two passengers arrested at Sea-Tac Airport last weekend may be linked to a suspect's deadly plunge from a high-rise balcony in Vancouver, British Columbia during a raid.

POLICE REPORTS
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Federal sources both in British Columbia and in Seattle tell KIRO Team 7 Investigators the weekend arrest at Sea-Tac of two men on the terrorist "no-fly" list may be just the tip of the iceberg.

We're told the FBI is very interested in trying to connect three separate -- and recent -- incidents involving Pakistani illegals.

Federal sources told KIRO Team 7 Investigators that about a month ago, two Pakistani men tried to illegally enter the U.S. at Sumas, just east of Blaine, Washington. That meant little at the time, but this week's arrest of two different Pakistani men at SeaTac Airport is raising suspicions.

According to Port of Seattle police reports, those men were on a terrorist "no-fly" list and tried to buy one-way tickets to New York.

  SURVEY
Has the recent arrest of two men at Sea-Tac caused you to be concerned about flying?

KIRO Team 7 Investigators have learned that a drug raid at an apartment in Vancouver, British Columbia, last weekend was really a raid by an elite anti-terrorism squad.

"We had information that there could be a risk of weapons as well as a danger to officers entering the suite," said Sarah Bloor of Vancouver Police Department.

"It was a drug warrant is the only detail I can provide you with at this time … sealed at this time."

Canadian authorities told us the FBI has contacted them, trying to figure out if the men arrested at Sea-Tac or detained at Sumas have ties to each other or to any known terrorist groups.

Federal sources said they believe the man who fell to his death while trying to escape police in that Vancouver apartment was funneling money to Al Queda.

KIRO Team 7 Investigators talked with the FBI, CIA, Homeland Security Administration, INS, Border Patrol, and the US Attorneys office Thursday. None had an on-the-record comment.

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