2006 DPS Annual Report - Arizona Department of Public Safety

Criminal
Investigations
Division
DPS detectives locate explosive chemicals in Phoenix apartment
In May 2006, DPS detectives assigned to the multi-agency Maricopa County HIDTA Methamphetamine Task
Force executed a search warrant at a Phoenix apartment. During the execution
of this warrant, the suspect warned detectives of a substance that was in the
kitchen area because he did not want anyone to get hurt. The suspect called this
substance “flash powder.” After viewing this substance, which was stored in
plastic containers, it appeared to look like crystal methamphetamine. No tests
were performed on the substance and the DPS Bomb Squad Unit was called.
Following their arrival, the bomb techs determined that the substance was in fact
explosive. The U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms was called and it
was determined the substance consistent with the properties of the explosive
“TATP” (Triacetone Triperoxide). The substance “TATP” was later confirmed by the DPS crime-lab analysis.
Partnerships with Joint Terrorism Task Force result in local prosecutions
AcTIC detectives assisted the Arizona Department of Revenue with Operation Smokeout II, a large multi-state
counterfeit cigarette stamp case. As a result, ADOR investigators and L.A. County authorities arrested five suspects
and recovered over $1,000,000 worth of counterfeit cigarette stamps. ADOR paid special recognition to
AcTIC for the manpower, equipment, technology, contacts and financial support provided in orchestrating the case
with the LASD.
AcTIC detectives assisted the Bureau of ATF&E with a possible ricin incident in Phoenix. The Arizona resident
was arrested in Wisconsin, while local authorities served a search warrant on the suspect’s Arizona residence.
Castor bean plants were located, but there was no indication that the suspect attempted to produce ricin. As a side
note, an AcTIC intelligence bulletin had been previously posted on the suspect several weeks prior based on
contact with the out-of-state police agency who had originally made contact with the suspect.
AcTIC Watch Center enforces information sharing protocols
A serious challenge to homeland security is the timely exchange of intelligence and critical information between
state, local and federal agencies. The Arizona Counter Terrorism Information Center (AcTIC) coordinated the
states participation in the international Ardent Sentry – AS06 Training Exercise, May 8th – 12th, 2006. The fullscale
exercise provided an environment for participants to exercise against a credible
terrorist adversary which planned and executed an attack employing weapons of mass
destruction (WMD). Intelligence is a critical aspect of emergency preparedness and
response and is fully incorporated into the Incident Command System (ICS.) The ICS
has an established Intelligence entity responsible for receiving, evaluating and forwarding
pertinent information within the command. This was the first time in Arizona’s history,
that intelligence was exercised from a National level involving NorthCOM/NORAD,
CIA and FBI through AcTIC Watch Center to other state, federal, tribal, county and
local agencies. The AS06 exercise was a success as it identified issues regarding the intelligence protocols within
the state to include the passing of timely information and analysis to support operations. The AcTIC Watch Center
is not an Emergency Operation Center (EOC), but is National Incident Management Systems (NIMS) compliant
and follows the Global Information Sharing Initiative standard recommended for fusion centers.
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