Hon: Al-Qaeda Sought to Bomb Panama Canal, Honduran Security Says

June 30 (Bloomberg) -- The al-Qaeda terrorist network plotted to bomb the Panama Canal, one of the world's most important shipping routes, Agence France-Presse reported, citing Leonel Sauceda, a spokesman for the Honduran security ministry.

Sauceda confirmed Security Minister Oscar Alvarez's report to local media that Adnan El Shukrijumah, or Jafar al-Tayar, a suspected al-Qaeda operative was in the Central American country late last month and ``planned to plant explosives in the Panama Canal to hamper boat traffic in the area,'' AFP said.

While Alvarez didn't say when Shukrijumah entered or left the country, or when he passed through it, Sauceda said the suspect was in Honduras on May 27, AFP said. The Panama Canal Authority says at least 35 ships pass through the canal daily, and more than 60 percent of that cargo originates in ports on the East Coast of the U.S.

The U.S. last month said Shukrijumah is a trained pilot and may be trying to use trucks as weapons. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation said Shukrijumah has a driver's license with a Miramar, Florida, address and may try to enter the U.S. with a passport from Guyana, Saudi Arabia, Canada, or Trinidad.

Newsflash found Via: Drudge