Bomb factory and guns found in garage near Disneyland Paris

[Jonjo]

Published in today's London Evening Standard.

Bomb factory and guns found in Paris garage.

• Prosecutor says terror cell is 'extremely dangerous'
• Former Portsmouth footballer turned Islamic radical among those seized earlier

Bomb-making equipment and weapons were today found hidden in a garage used by suspected Islamic terrorists in Paris.

Overnight raids by police in the eastern suburb of Torcy uncovered the explosives and guns in a four storey building close to the French capitals Disneyland.

Armed officers could today be seen surrounding the building, as residents were evacuated.

It follows eleven men being arrested and one being shot dead during an anti-terrorism swoop across France at the weekend.

Former Portsmouth Football Club footballer turned Islamic radical Yann Nsaku, 19, was among those arrested in the southern seaside resort of Cannes, while 33-year-old Jeremy Sidney was gunned down in the eastern city of Strasbourg.

Following the find, Paris prosecutor Francois Molins said: We are clearly and objectively confronted with an extremely dangerous terrorist cell, and that everything needed to be done to prevent the risk of a terrorist attack in France.

He confirmed that elements used in the manufacture of explosives were found, including potassium nitrate and sulphur, along with guns.

Two men were arrested in Paris, including gunman Jeremy Sidney, 33, who was returning from a mosque with .22 calibre rifle on Saturday.

Now a search of a garage used by Sidney and another man has uncovered the cache, which is thought to have supplied a raid on a Jewish shop on September 19th.

A grenade was thrown into the kosher food delicatessen, injuring one person and causing a huge amount of damage.

Police fear that the explosives found today could have been used to launch even bigger raids in Paris, which is the most popular tourist destination in the world.

Detectives say the principal aim of the armed cell was to start a war across France, and to see a wholly Muslim state established.

Most were converts to Islam, having learnt about the religion while spending time in French prisons for a wide range of offences.

Police say that many of the young men arrested had made wills, and carried a list of Jewish groups they were targeting.

All the men arrested were said to be linked to a Salafist group which was committed to waging a jihad  or holy war  across Europe.

It follows Mohammed Merah, a 23-year-old French Algerian with similar Salafism connections, shooting seven people, including four Jews, dead in the Toulouse area in March.

At least three policemen were injured in Saturdays Strasboug raid, while others received direct hits to their bullet proof jackets and helmets.

Police have been on heightened alert since the attacks by Merah, who was himself finally shot dead by police.

A Paris police spokesman said that the 11 suspects had now been held for the statutory 96 hours, but this would be extended because of the arms and explosives find.

Kind of glad that we see the armed Gendarmerie around DLP.

[DLPDreams]

Wow, scary!

The horrible thing is, this is all over now - we only find out about the ones that are uncovered, or god forbid, do something horrific.

You know, I see your point about the Gendarmerie but I always think the security at DLRP seems to be missing something - the fact that you can check in to the DLH, arrive by car and actually never have your bag searched - you then have open unchecked access to the Park. Is it they think terrorists wouldn't stay the DLH . It's always concerned me a bit.... In the visits we have made, we have never had our bags searched - only if we went out into the Village and then were coming back in .

[tinks_1989]

Originally Posted by DLPDreams

Wow, scary!

The horrible thing is, this is all over now - we only find out about the ones that are uncovered, or god forbid, do something horrific.

You know, I see your point about the Gendarmerie but I always think the security at DLRP seems to be missing something - the fact that you can check in to the DLH, arrive by car and actually never have your bag searched - you then have open unchecked access to the Park. Is it they think terrorists wouldn't stay the DLH . It's always concerned me a bit.... In the visits we have made, we have never had our bags searched - only if we went out into the Village and then were coming back in .

Or that you could have anything in your pocket just worried about inside your bag!

[Carrie_Cat]

Originally Posted by Jonjo

Kind of glad that we see the armed Gendarmerie around DLP.

They are the regular Army that patrol and aren't interested in any "minor" criminal activity as such.

They are also carrying unloaded guns - Have a look next time and you'll see that the magazine isn't there

I know where this was found as we are often nearby shopping and eating out - it's 15 km from DLP.

There are no doubt many many more especially in the Northern surburbs

Originally Posted by DLPDreams

Wow, scary!

The horrible thing is, this is all over now - we only find out about the ones that are uncovered, or god forbid, do something horrific.

You know, I see your point about the Gendarmerie but I always think the security at DLRP seems to be missing something - the fact that you can check in to the DLH, arrive by car and actually never have your bag searched - you then have open unchecked access to the Park. Is it they think terrorists wouldn't stay the DLH . It's always concerned me a bit.... In the visits we have made, we have never had our bags searched - only if we went out into the Village and then were coming back in .

The security on the gates at DLP is cosmetic, it's to stop alcool coming into the park as much as anything.

Makes people feel safer

The Armed Forces patrol there because of the international railway station.

They patrol in groups of 3 around all major railway stations, tourists hubs and strategic sites since March 2003 when the Vigipirate risk level went to Orange alert.

The current level is red but it has been scarlet which is the highest risk.

[Gwendolen]

Unfortunately there are bad people everywhere - Interpol & European police forces seem to be doing a great job on finding terrorism groups, it could happen anywhere and in any country.

[paulinefc]

so scary.