Plot to Release Poison Gas via Toy Planes Foiled

Five arrested after workshops, toys uncovered in Iraq
By Ruth Brown,  Newser Staff
Posted Jun 1, 2013 5:48 PM CDT
Al-Qaeda Plot to Release Chemical Weapons via Toy Planes Foiled
   (Shutterstock)

Iraqi authorities say they have arrested five men who were manufacturing sarin and mustard gas, which they planned to release via remote-controlled toy planes, reports the BBC. They also planned to smuggle the chemicals into Europe and North America and strike targets there. The men confessed to the plot, and said they were making the gases using instructions from an al-Qaeda offshoot.

Iraq's defense minister says three chemical workshops were uncovered, with the toy planes found inside. The plan was to target Shiite Muslim pilgrims visiting a shrine in Baghdad, reports Businessweek. (More toys stories.)

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