Subscribe to our BlogFBI Continues in Investigation into Florida Students' Explosives
By Aaron Richman
Ahmed Mohamed and Yousef Megahed, both Egyptian students of University of South Florida in Tampa, Florida, were driving through an area near a Naval Weapons Station and a military prison when they were pulled over by local police.
They were observed closing a laptop computer and hiding it during the routine traffic stop. When questioned about their business, the confused and scared men could not give an explanation of their actions. A search in the vehicle discovered two pipe-bombs, made from homemade materials that were bought at a Wal-Mart, in the trunk. The two attempted to convince the officers that the explosives were fireworks. The two were arrested and are being held on bail.
Although the investigation is only at the beginning, the information received is suspicious and characteristic of a lone-wolf cell where on-line terrorism techniques were used. The attention of the officers is what allowed this threat to come to light. Most likely there is no intelligence on the two and if not caught by random checks, they may never have been caught.
Potassium Chlorate, sugar, a can of gasoline, PVC pipe, four hobby store brand rocket launchers and hobby store brand fuses were found in the vehicle. The materials are known for making incendiaries from explosives, to napalm or model rocket fuel.
Related Articles:
CAIR-Tampa’s Terror Defense Network and the Media (FrontPage Magazine)
Parents of Arrested USF Student Speak Out (tampabay.com)
Muslim Pipe Bombers' "Mysterious Liquid" (Atlas Shrugs)
Aaron Richman is a security consultant specializing in counter terror emergency planning and training for large and special events both for the public and private sectors. Richman is also an adjunct professor at American Military University, teaching courses in the Emergency and Disaster Management program.
© Aaron Richman, MBA
Institute of Terrorism Research and Response
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