Mexicans Search For Lost Cyanide
Hijacking of Truck Carrying 7.6 Tons Of Poison Raises Terrorism Concerns

By Mary Jordan, Washington Post Foreign Service
May 28, 2002; Page A13

MEXICO CITY, May 27 -- Nearly eight tons of sodium cyanide hijacked from a truck in central Mexico this month is still missing despite an extensive law enforcement search, heightening concerns that it poses a potential security threat in Mexico and the United States.

The truck was hijacked May 10 in Hidalgo state, about 100 miles north of Mexico City. The truck was recovered last week but most of the cyanide -- 7.6 tons packed in 76 drums -- was missing.

Sodium cyanide is routinely used in silver mining, and Mexico is the world's largest producer of silver. The chemical is commonly used in gas chamber executions, and even trace amounts can be deadly when inhaled or ingested.

Hidalgo police today conducted door-to-door searches of warehouses as police in all northern Mexican states continued air and land searches for the missing cyanide drums.

"People aren't scared, but officials are, because they know what it can be used for," said Miguel Angel Osorio, a senior Hidalgo state official.

U.S. officials are concerned that the cyanide could be heading north, and border officials are watching for it, according to the FBI and other U.S. law enforcement agencies offering help in the search. U.S. intelligence officials have reported uncovering plans to use cyanide or other chemicals to attack U.S. targets. Earlier this year, nine men suspected of having ties to al Qaeda were arrested in Italy and found to be in possession of a cyanide-based substance and maps of Rome with the U.S. Embassy and the city's water supply system highlighted.

"We are coordinating with the Mexican authorities on this. They are taking the lead," said Josie Shumake, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City. "Everybody at the ports of entry knows about it and they are on alert."

U.S. and Mexican officials stress that the truck hijacking could have been a robbery unrelated to terrorism. Truck robberies are daily events in Mexico, and some officials here said the thieves might have thought they were stealing a truckload of electronics or clothes.

"My gut says it's some thug looking for a VCR who is now scared out of his mind because he has tons of poison," said one U.S. official. "The problem is, what if it is not?"

© 2002 The Washington Post Company

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