IR 2/22 - 25/02

IR 2/22 - 25/02

Intelligence Reports, 2/22/02; 2/25/02

Concealed Knife / Coins

In an earlier report (24 December 2001) we described the American Eagle Silver Dollar Coin Knife shown below in Photo No. 2. There is apparently another version of this concealed weapon that Law Enforcement and Security personnel should be made aware of.

The photos depict various coin knives that could easily be disguised amongst other change, as a medallion on a necklace, or as a key chain. One of the coins offered on the Internet is a 5-franc pocked knife made by hand in Paris. Many of the parts are so tiny; they are put together under a microscope. This old French coin accessory includes scissors, blade, nail file, and shackle. It is a collector's item that can be shipped the same day for $425. Photo No. 1

Another product that was available for purchase over the Internet and sold by the U.S. Mint is a unique collectible 1997 American Eagle Silver Dollar Coin Knife. The coin weighs approximately one ounce and is the same size as a 1997 United States silver dollar. The coin has been antiqued to give it an “aged” appearance that features a hardened steel pocketknife mechanism that opens on either side to reveal a knife blade and nail file and sells for $75. The U.S. Mint no longer sells this coin.

Use Of Ambulances And Medical Vehicles By Terrorist Organizations

In recent days Israeli security forces have witnessed an increasing use of ambulances and medical vehicles by terrorist organizations. The terrorists are working on the premise that these vehicles do not undergo thorough examinations when they pass through roadblocks and checkpoints.

The most prominent example of this phenomenon is the apparent use of a medical vehicle or medical accreditation to help carry out the suicide terror attack on Jaffa Road in Jerusalem on January 27. The woman suicide bomber, Wafa Idris, was a resident of the Amari refugee camp near Ramallah. Additionally, she worked as a medical secretary for the Palestinian Red Crescent.

The ongoing investigation indicates that Idris was sent to commit this suicide attack by Mohammed Hababa, a Tanzim operative and ambulance driver for the Palestinian Red Crescent. Hababa is a resident of the Beit-Iksa village, in the Ramallah area.

Among the group that planned the attack was Munzar Noor, a resident of the town of Anabta near Tulkarm, who also works for the Red Crescent in Ramallah. Noor is currently being questioned by the Palestinian security services.

Israeli security officials do not yet have a clear picture of how Idris made her way from Ramallah to Jerusalem. However, investigators believe that Red Crescent documentation held by the suicide bomber and her accomplices, and perhaps even a Red Crescent vehicle, helped them through IDF roadblocks and eased the checks they had to undergo.

This is not the first incident in which ambulances have been used by terrorist organizations. Last October, Israeli security forces arrested Nidal Nazal, a Hamas operative from Kalkilya, brother of Natzar Nazal, one of the leaders of the Hamas in the city. Nidal Nazal worked as an ambulance driver for the Palestinian Red Crescent and there is information indicating that Nazal exploited his relatively easy movement around the West Bank towns as an ambulance driver to serve as a messenger between Hamas headquarters in the various towns.

The increasing use of medical personnel by terrorist organizations to by-pass checks at blockades underscores the need to carry out thorough searches in Palestinian medical and evacuation vehicles, despite the inconvenience and hardship involved. This needs to be done to ensure that ambulances will not be used by terrorist organizations to smuggle terrorists or weapons into Israel.

With each instance of a terrorist event, Foreign Terrorist Organizations attempt to perfect their methods. Law Enforcement and security managers should be cognizant of this particular medium to deliver a deadly attack. Additional security measures should be taken to ensure the medical personnel are in fact, legitimate.

Suspicious Mailings

There have been a series of suspicious mailings received by various Coast Guard units throughout the country. This office has likewise received one of these envelopes. Each of the envelopes appear to be sent from the Reno, NV area and contain an audio tape and a 3” x 5” note card that states:

“Dear Coast Guard Staff, the tape has predicted nuclear terrorism coming to America

and it names some cities targeted. Please get this message out soon. Thank you.”

While this latest mailing seems to be isolated to the Coast Guard mailing system, other units should be aware of these envelopes when checking their mail.