Breaking news on Fox about several arrests in south Seattle by an anti-terrorist tactical team. So far news is sketchy, expect further updates as it comes in.
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Update (11:28 AM PST)
A search warrant was issued for urban warfare manuals and identity theft materials. The search was made at a barber shop. Those arrested are to appear at a court hearing this afternoon.
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Update 2 (11:38 AM PST)
Some weird news now being reported that the joint terrorism task force and local police targeted 12 locations and they were looking for urban warfare manuals for training children?!? They also mentioned an August 1st orange alert from Secretary Ridge for attacks in the northwest. Could they be related? Who knows, news is sketchy and it's all speculation.
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Update 3 (11:47 AM PST)
Reports now say there are no apparent links to terrorism in the arrests, although it was originally a terrorism investigation. The arrests are based on typical criminal activity involving African-American muslim converts.
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Update 4 (12:00 PM PST)
KIRO TV Seattle
A federal court clerk told the Associated Press that at least 10 people are being held for investigation of immigration, bank fraud and weapons charges.
Officers raided a south Seattle business and seized a computer and other possible evidence.
A search warrant authorized officers to look for training manuals for urban warfare and identity theft.
There was no immediate word from federal authorities on further details.
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Update 5 (12:52 PM PST)
KIRO TV Seattle
At least 10 Seattle-area residents were arrested for investigation of bank and immigration fraud. They are accused of conspiring to bring Gambians into the country illegally, the U.S. Attorney's office told the Associated Press.
The U.S. Attorney's Office refused to comment immediately on the arrests, but a clerk said that the men were scheduled to make appearances Thursday afternoon in federal court in Seattle.
Charges included conspiracy to commit immigration fraud and bank fraud to weapons charges.
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Two businesses that were raided -- Crescent Cuts barber shop and Janaale Restaurant -- are in a building in the 7800 block of Rainier Avenue South.
KIRO 7 Eyewitness News reporter Kevin McCarty said the businesses appeared to be ransacked, with broken glass, bottles, cans and garbage strewn on the floor.
The hard drive of a computer at one of the businesses had been ripped out, McCarty reported.
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Update 6 (Nov 19 - 12:37 PM PST)
Shark Blog has more updates on those arrested and the other developments in this story since the initial raids yesterday.
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