'Plot' to murder Saudi king foiled

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

Officers discovered a courier trying to smuggle £166,000 through Heathrow Airport on a flight from the United States to Syria.

They believe the money was intended for a dissident cell of Saudi Arabians plotting to assassinate Crown Prince Abdullah. The cash, made up of a wad of US 100-dollar bills, was uncovered during a search.

Scotland Yard said the incident took place in 2003 and a man has since been convicted in connection with it.

Detective Superintendent Mark Holmes, head of the National Terrorist Financial Investigation Unit, revealed details of the plot.

He said: "We seized 330,000 US dollars in a cash disruption exercise at Heathrow Airport. The money was coming to the UK for distribution around UK-based Saudi dissidents. We suspect this was going to be used to facilitate the murder of Crown Prince Abdullah."

Mr Holmes was speaking at a counter-terrorism conference organised by the Association of Chief Police Officers in Brighton. His unit includes officers from the security services, GCHQ and HM Revenue and Customs.

Mr Holmes said the case was an example of how cash is an essential resource for any active terrorist network.

Crown Prince Abdullah took the Saudi throne in 2005 and travelled to Britain last year as King. He was greeted by Prime Minister Gordon Brown, and the Queen later hosted a 170-guest State banquet in his honour at Buckingham Palace.

In an interview before his visit, King Abdullah criticised the British authorities for failing to act on Saudi information that may have averted terrorist attacks.