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Homeland Security 5 Year Anniversary 2003 - 2008, One Team, One Mission Securing the Homeland

Statement by the Department of Homeland Security on the Arrest of Ahmed Mehabla

Release Date: 09/30/03 00:00:00

For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
September 30, 2003

On the afternoon of September 29, 2003, Ahmed Mehalba, a naturalized U.S. citizen of Egyptian descent, arrived at Boston Logan Airport aboard a flight from Cairo, Egypt, via Milan, Italy. Homeland Security officers from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) began conducting a routine examination of Mehalba.

During the inspection, CBP officers found a Military ID identifying Mehalba as a contract linguist at the U.S. Military Base in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Upon further examination, CBP officers found compact discs in Mehalba's baggage. At least one compact disc contained information that appeared to be classified.

Agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) of the Department of Homeland Security and the Boston Joint Terrorism Task Force responded and arrested Mehalba. The U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Massachusetts authorized the arrest of Mehalba.

This page was last reviewed/modified on 09/30/03 00:00:00.