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Success Stories: DHS' Critical Role to Take Down JFK Terror Plot

Objective: Protect Critical Infrastructure

Situation   Action
  • January 2006: Four men led by a former airport cargo worker plot to ignite JFK airport jet fuel lines
  • The plot is revealed when the terrorists try to recruit a person who is a law enforcement informant
  • He informs the FBI who infiltrate the terrorist cell; the FBI, DOJ, NSA, CIA, DHS (CBP, TSA) and international partners follow and monitor the cell for 18 months in U.S. and abroad; DHS reaches out…
  
  • The outreach is to leaders of the oil & gas sector and the transportation sector who run JFK airport
  • Sharing information helps private sector gain DHS assessments of the targets and analyze outcomes
  • As the FBI infiltrates the cell, DHS regularly briefs the sectors from onset: addressing concerns, fears
  • Jun 2, 2007: 3 men arrested; Jun 5: 4th is caught
Result   JFK International Airport Handles...
  • The plot is disrupted before it can take place
  • The private sector does not leak any information over 18 month period to jeopardize the operation
  • Industry sector representatives are impressed by access to information and regular briefings by DHS
  • The ability of DHS to share information with the private sector, as well as law enforcement, is critical to protecting the nation’s critical infrastructure
     JFK International Airport
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Case# 0000024
06/11/2007

This page was last modified on September 14, 2007