Terrorists with links to the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah have reportedly been caught stashing tons of explosive materials in London.
It’s claimed radicals stockpiled thousands of ice packs containing ammonium nitrate at a secret bomb factory on the outskirts of the capital.
The Daily Telegraph reveals officers from MI5 and the Metropolitan Police uncovered the terrifying plot in the autumn of 2015.
Three metric tonnes of ammonium nitrate – a common ingredient in homemade bombs – was said to have been discovered.
The paper reports that is more than the amount used to in the horrific Oklahoma City bombing that killed 168 people and devastated hundreds of buildings.
Four properties were raided in North West London and a man in his forties was arrested on suspicion of plotting terrorism before being released without charge.
One source said the plot was “proper organised terrorism”. Another added that enough explosive materials were stored to do “a lot of damage”.
TIP OFF
The covert operation was reportedly launched after a tip off- which the Telegraph understands came from a foreign government.
MI5’s intelligence investigation is understood to have lasted months was was part of an effort to disrupt the plot and also get an insight into what Hezbollah was plotting.
However, there was no evidence that the UK was to be target of any bomb attacks, it’s reported.
A UK intelligence source said: “MI5 worked independently and closely with international partners to disrupt the threat of malign intent from Iran and its proxies in the UK.”
The news comes amid mounting tensions between Iran and the west and after Home Secretary Sajid Javid announced a blanket ban on those with links to Hezbollah.
In February, he ruled all UK supporters of the Iran-backed group will face up to 10 years in prison.
Hezbollah – or the Party of God – is a Shia Muslim movement which emerged during the early 1980s with financial backing from Iran.
In 2001, ministers banned its external security organisation. Seven years later, the proscription was extended to Hezbollah’s military wing.
A listing in the official register of banned groups says Hezbollah is “committed to armed resistance to the state of Israel, and aims to seize all Palestinian territories and Jerusalem from Israel”.
Source » thesun