Something's bugging me about this big arms deal/missile bust

[Fast Twitch Fiber]

OK, this dude was completely set up. The person that he was selling the missile to was an American government agent. The supplier where he got the missile were Russian govt agents.

They're making it our to be a big anti-terrorist bust, however, could this guy have pulled this off if he weren't dealing with federal agents of both countries? Obviously the Russian government can supply someone with a missile if they want to, but the big issue is whether or not this guy could have obtained this same missile from someone other than a government agent who is working undercover. If this guy has no other connections in the arms smuggling business then what good did it do to set him up? It's sort of like creating a problem and then solving it.

 

[Ffactor]

Great point.

 

[Y_lifter]

It sends the message to those in the business that we are not
F'ing around anymore.

 

[Code]

Thank God all parties were federal agents.

 

[Fast Twitch Fiber]

I just think it's a waste of time if it doesn't result in the arrest of anyone that can really obtain black market weapons.

 

[Code]

I just think it's a waste of time if it doesn't result in the arrest of anyone that can really obtain black market weapons.

I don't think there is an implicit over-tone suggesting he *couldn't* have bought them. The sting could have been in place for 2 years, 2 years is certainly long enough to establish street cred.

 

[the nature boy]

I think it would have behooved the authorities to monitor this arms dealer and catch him making a deal with REAL terrorists.

 

[Tarheel]

That was thier plan, they didn't really want to bust this guy (yet), they wanted to follow him around and let him lead them to real bad guys.

But thier cover was about to get blown or something so they had to go in and get him. I also heard something about the BBC or someone from the BBC effing it all up.

^^^^^ heard all that on the radio mind you.

 

[javaguru]

That was thier plan, they didn't really want to bust this guy (yet), they wanted to follow him around and let him lead them to real bad guys.

But thier cover was about to get blown or something so they had to go in and get him. I also heard something about the BBC or someone from the BBC effing it all up.

This seems the most plausible explanation since busting a middle man does little good becasue there is always another middleman if the fee is right. However,it just seems strange they wouldn't have tried to use Russian agents with the middle man to put out feelers for terrorits wishing to acquire this weapon system?

 

[HG Pennypacker]

I think it would have behooved the authorities to monitor this arms dealer and catch him making a deal with REAL terrorists.

Great point. They're classifying the guy from Britain as a "major arms dealer" so he probably could get them if he wants to.