January 27, 2000
Web posted at: 2:22 a.m. EST (0722 GMT)

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senegalese officials have detained a man who officials say has ties to suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden and is known to associate with suspects under investigation for smuggling explosives into the United States, CNN has learned.

According to sources, U.S. investigators and intelligence officials suspect the man, identified as Ohuld Slahi, could be a major player in the unfolding terrorism conspiracy probe that started December 14, when U.S. Customs Service inspectors discovered a car trunk packed with explosives.

The discovery came during the arrest of Algerian Ahmed Ressam at a remote border crossing at Port Angeles, Washington.

Slahi has not been charged by U.S. officials, but the U.S. Attorney's office in New York is preparing to do so, sources familiar with the investigation said.

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CNN had previously reported that Ressam was known to associate with people in Montreal who had ties to bin Laden.

Slahi, who recently left Montreal for Senegal, may have ties to bin Laden operatives through marriage, sources tell CNN. Slahi is believed to have associated with Mohktar Haouri, who is is suspected of being a mid-level manager in the terrorism plot.

Haouri is being held in Canada in connection with the conspiracy investigation. Court documents say he helped provide members of an Algerian terrorist cell with false documents, and that he gave orders to another suspect who went to Seattle to meet Ressam.

Senior law enforcement officials say that, while they are suspicious of the many indirect ties to bin Laden, they have no proof he directed the failed bomb conspiracy. They are still trying to assess Slahi's role.

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