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American Morning
Bail Hearing Today for Suspected Arms Dealer
Aired September 04, 2003 - 09:09 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, ANCHOR: From Newark, New Jersey, Soledad, a bail hearing scheduled later today, in fact, this morning for Hemant Lakhani. He's the man accused of trying to sell a shoulder-fired missile to an undercover agent. That agent posed as a terrorist who intended to shoot down an American airliner.
Michael Okwu is working that story for us this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAEL OKWU, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Prosecutors say Hemant Lakhani was plotting to smuggle 200 missiles into the United States, but his plan to sell the first one was foiled when he was arrested last month at this hotel near the Newark airport.
Authorities say Lakhani had flown in from his home in London to meet what he believed were perspective buyers, Somali terrorists raging a holy war to shoot down American planes. In reality, the men were FBI agents and an informant.
CHRISTOPHER CHRISTIE, U.S. ATTORNEY: He believes he's come to the meeting for two purposes. First, to see that the missile had actually arrived here in New Jersey and to present it to the cooperating witness. Secondly, to finalize the deal for the next 50 of these missiles and to arrange for down payment of $500,000.
OKWU: Lakhani's brother-in-law told CNN Lakhani is no arms dealer, just an Oxford educated businessman who sells planes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's nothing with the war in anything, I can guarantee you on that. I can swear about it. He's a man with character.
OKWU: But the government says it has him on tape.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He on many occasions in reported conversations referred to Americans as bastards, Osama bin Laden as a hero who had done something right and set the Americans straight.
OKWU: Two alleged accomplices were also arrested, a New York gem dealer and a Malaysian in town to broker the deal were charged with money laundering and conspiracy. Their cases are pending.
None of the men have entered pleas in the case.
(END VIDEOTAPE) OKWU: Now, one of those accomplices has been let out on bail. No doubt Mr. Lakhani's lawyer this morning will also argue that he be let out on bail, but prosecutors will surely say that this is a man who has means, this is a man who does a great deal of international traveling, so, therefore, he is a flight risk and, after all, he is facing some very serious charges that had he been successful could have resulted in great serious harm to U.S. citizens -- Bill.
HEMMER: Michael, thanks. Michael Okwu in Washington for us.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
Aired September 4, 2003 - 09:09 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
BILL HEMMER, ANCHOR: From Newark, New Jersey, Soledad, a bail hearing scheduled later today, in fact, this morning for Hemant Lakhani. He's the man accused of trying to sell a shoulder-fired missile to an undercover agent. That agent posed as a terrorist who intended to shoot down an American airliner.
Michael Okwu is working that story for us this morning.
(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)
MICHAEL OKWU, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Prosecutors say Hemant Lakhani was plotting to smuggle 200 missiles into the United States, but his plan to sell the first one was foiled when he was arrested last month at this hotel near the Newark airport.
Authorities say Lakhani had flown in from his home in London to meet what he believed were perspective buyers, Somali terrorists raging a holy war to shoot down American planes. In reality, the men were FBI agents and an informant.
CHRISTOPHER CHRISTIE, U.S. ATTORNEY: He believes he's come to the meeting for two purposes. First, to see that the missile had actually arrived here in New Jersey and to present it to the cooperating witness. Secondly, to finalize the deal for the next 50 of these missiles and to arrange for down payment of $500,000.
OKWU: Lakhani's brother-in-law told CNN Lakhani is no arms dealer, just an Oxford educated businessman who sells planes.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He's nothing with the war in anything, I can guarantee you on that. I can swear about it. He's a man with character.
OKWU: But the government says it has him on tape.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He on many occasions in reported conversations referred to Americans as bastards, Osama bin Laden as a hero who had done something right and set the Americans straight.
OKWU: Two alleged accomplices were also arrested, a New York gem dealer and a Malaysian in town to broker the deal were charged with money laundering and conspiracy. Their cases are pending.
None of the men have entered pleas in the case.
(END VIDEOTAPE) OKWU: Now, one of those accomplices has been let out on bail. No doubt Mr. Lakhani's lawyer this morning will also argue that he be let out on bail, but prosecutors will surely say that this is a man who has means, this is a man who does a great deal of international traveling, so, therefore, he is a flight risk and, after all, he is facing some very serious charges that had he been successful could have resulted in great serious harm to U.S. citizens -- Bill.
HEMMER: Michael, thanks. Michael Okwu in Washington for us.
TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com
