A Liverpool man who tried to buy a deadly toxin from an undercover FBI agent has been jailed for eight years.
In Feburary Breaking Bad fan Mohammed Ammer Ali, 31, was caught trying to purchase enough ricin to kill over 1,000 people on the ‘dark web’.
He argued in court that his purpose was “peaceful” and the attempt to buy 500mg of the chemical was purely out of curiosity.
But the FBI tipped of the North-West Counter Terrorism Unit who raided his Prescot Road home, along with four other addresses, on 11 February.
Officers discovered ricin hidden in a toy car and arrested the 31-year-old.
At the Old Bailey today, Friday 18 September, Ali was sentenced for attempting to have a chemical weapon in his possession contrary to the Criminal Attempts Act 1981, and the Chemical Weapons Act 1996.
Detective Chief Superintendent Tony Mole of the NWCTU said: “Ali attempted to buy a deadly poison and we can only speculate on what he planned to use it for, but in any case such as this, we take swift and decisive action.
“Thanks to the vigilance of officers from a number of different law enforcement agencies, we were able to intervene before this man did get hold of such a deadly substance from a genuine seller.
“I want to reassure our communities that the North West Counter Terrorism Unit and local police are well aware of the potential dangers associated with internet activity on the ‘dark web’. Law enforcement agencies use a range of investigative techniques to monitor and police unlawful internet activity.”
Anyone with concerns is urged to contact police on 999 in an emergency, or 101, or contact the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321.
