A We’re-Not-Out-Of-The-Woods-Yet Update from NBC6.net, :
MIRAMAR, Fla. — Despite the massive federal, state and local law enforcement effort to stop terrorists from entering the United States, there is no strong evidence of how well it is working.
Many experts are concerned that there are plenty of terrorists or sympathizers already in the country who have been here for years. Some are even citizens.
The Sept. 11, 2001, hijackers were the first wave and now the increasing number of arrests seems to signal a second wave of terrorism in South Florida.
Boca Raton physician Rafik Sabir is accused of conspiring to help al-Qaida. If this is true, terrorism analysts such as Walid Phares fear there is a second wave of al-Qaida terrorists operating in South Florida.
“The first wave that did 9/11 had a presence here. Between 9/11 and most recently, there have been many arrests in South Florida and Florida as a whole of elements who are allegedly involved,” Phares said.
Since Sept. 11, 2001, the Miami FBI has investigated and apprehended dozens of al-Qaida suspects up and down the Gold Coast.
“Al-Qaida has had a presence in South Florida and continues to have a presence,” terrorism analyst Steve Emerson said.