October 25, 2007 A bulletin issued by the FBI and Homeland Security warns that terrorists are still trying to use shoes to conceal explosive devices. The joint FBI-Homeland Security bulletin warns that terrorists are still working to use “modified footwear as a concealment method for explosive devices”. You can download the bulletin here.

Brian Ross at The Blotter has the details Following the seizure in Europe of hollowed-out shoes containing blasting caps, U.S. authorities have been told to be on the lookout for thick-soled shoes that could be used to conceal explosives, as infamously was the case with convicted “shoe bomber” Richard Reid.

According to a Department of Homeland Security-FBI bulletin issued Wednesday, Oct. 24, European authorities in September 2007 discovered a pair of shoes that were used to smuggle electric blasting caps across international borders for use in a terrorist attack.

“A recent terrorist incident involving the international smuggling of electric blasting caps highlights the continuing use of modified footwear as a concealment method for explosive devices,” stated the DHS-FBI Bulletin “Terrorist Use of Modified Footwear to Conceal Explosive Devices.”

“The FBI and DHS routinely send out these bulletins to our law enforcement and intelligence community partners to share information,” said Senior Special Agent Richard J. Kolko, chief of the National Press Office.
 
“It is not related to a threat, but is provided in order to allow officers on the streets to be alert to items that appear routine but may not be, as they go about their daily duties.”

The bulletin itself noted there was no “specific, credible” current threat information indicating “that terrorists plan to use this concealment method in the homeland.” But it also noted the incident “highlights the continuing use of modified footwear as a concealment method for explosive devices.”

As such, the attempt to smuggle blasting caps is but the latest in a series of attempts by terrorists, whether autonomous or al Qaeda, to either smuggle explosive components in shoes, socks, gel bras and other items of clothing, or conceal complete improvised explosive devices in their clothing.

SOURCE:Homeland Security Terror Alert

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