Witness: Brit eager to discuss terror plans

NEWARK, N.J. – A British businessman on trial for allegedly trying to smuggle a shoulder-fired missile into the United States was “happy as a clam” as he talked to an informant about using the weapons to shoot down civilian aircraft, a prosecutor charged Thursday.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brian Howe said Hemant Lakhani, 69, “was no shrinking violet” in the government sting operation. Rather, he “was aggressive, pushed the deal and took steps to avoid getting caught,” Howe said.

Lakhani is charged with attempting to provide material support to terrorists, attempting to sell arms without a license, money laundering and importing merchandise into the United States by means of false statements.

During the summation that lasted about three hours, Howe played a secretly recorded videotape of Lakhani and the government informant at a hotel the day Lakhani was arrested with a fake shoulder-launched missile in a box in the room.

Lakhani is seen laughing and joking with the informant about using missiles against commercial planes as the two men look out a window overlooking the airport.

“That’s a missile that he believes terrorists will use to shoot innocent civilians out of the sky,” Howe said. “He’s clearly pleased with himself.”

In an abbreviated closing argument that will resume today in federal court, Lakhani’s attorney, Henry Klingeman, called the government’s case one of entrapment.

“There was no missile plot until the government created it,” Klingeman said. “It’s a lot like a fireman who lights a fire and then pulls the alarm so he can be the hero.”