The United States has busted an alleged Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) cell trying to infiltrate the American intelligence and security apparatus including Secret Service which handles the security of the President.
ISI is the intelligence agency of Pakistan.
Arian Taherzadeh, 40, and Haider Ali, 35, were arrested by the FBI in Southeast Washington and have been accused of False Impersonation of an Officer of the United States, which is a federal offence.
Ali had reportedly told witnesses that he was affiliated with the ISI. He also had multiple visas from Pakistan and Iran.
Taherzadeh and Ali tried impersonating as officers from the Department of Homeland Security had tried to ingratiate themselves with members of federal law enforcement and the defence community.
Taherzadeh also provided members of the United States Secret Service (USSS) and an employee of DHS with rent-free apartments. The apartments command yearly rent of over $40,000.
They also gifted iPhones, surveillance systems, a drone, flat-screen television, a case for storing an assault rifle, a generator, and law enforcement paraphernalia.
Taherzadeh also offered these individuals the use of what he represented to be official government vehicles.
He also offered to purchase a $2,000 assault rifle for a Secret Service agent assigned to the First Lady’s protective detail.
Four members of Secret Service placed on administrative leave
As a result of this conduct, four members of the Secret Service were placed on administrative leave pending further investigation.
Federal prosecutors alleged that Taherzadeh provided gifts or favours to residents, many of whom were members of law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, USSS or DHS, or employees of government agencies, including the Department of Defence and Navy.
The two have been ordered to be detained till the next hearing on Friday.
