January 08, 2003

Three more sought in ricin hunt

Britain's anti-terrorism police are looking for three more people in connection with the discovery of the deadly poison ricin in a north London flat.

Six men - understood to be Algerians - were arrested on Tuesday and security experts are trying to establish if they have links to al-Qaeda.
[...]
Castor oil beans - from which ricin is made - and equipment and containers for crushing the beans were found at the Wood Green flat where one of the men was arrested.
[...]
Large quantities [of ricin] were reportedly found in caves in Afghanistan.

It is relatively easy to manufacture in small amounts but would be considered an unusual agent to use for a mass attack as it must be ingested, inhaled or injected to take effect.

Let's not think of all the ways a terrorist could plant ricin for the innocent and unsuspecting to eat, drink or breath it, O.K.?
And Algerians? No suprise there: Algeria is a hotbed for Islamist "activists."
Good hunting, London bobbies!
The life you save may be your own!