Monday, October 17, 2005

Fuqra Compound: Colorado

As I said previously, there was a massive investigation of the Fuqra group's activities in Colorado which led to several convictions and also involved a raid on their mountain training facility, known as the Trout Creek Pass compound, near Buena Vista, CO. One might assume they've moved on from this compound since, but I don't know. Either way, this post will provide some information about it and may be indicative of their other properties elsewhere.


Excerpts from the previously mentioned report from the National White Collar Crime Center

"The search of the Trout Creek Pass compound began at sunrise on October 8, 1992. Safe houses in the Colorado Springs area and in Williamsport, Pennsylvania were searched simultaneously."

"The Trout Creek Pass compound contained numerous mine shafts, one of which contained assault weapons, 40,000 rounds of ammunition, and survival gear. It also housed a number of women and children."

"The investigator noted that all of the children in the compound were home-schooled and received early training to prepare them for terrorist activity in later years. The current whereabouts of these children, now young adults, is unknown."
From the photo, I could tell the compound was on a wooded slope. I found an article from 2002 this morning that gave some additional details. The compound was located about 12 miles east of Buena Vista near Trout Creek Pass at an altitude of between 9,000-10,000 feet. It lacked electricity or plumbing. Several mine shafts were located on the property.

Using this information, I've found the general area. I'm not sure of the exact location, but I think I'm pretty close. Here is a topo map of the ridge near Trout Creek. Several mines can be seen. Here is a color satellite view from Google Maps, however not much detail can be seen. The area located in the center of this picture from MSN Virtual Earth is where my guess would be. Some cleared areas, trails, and structures can be identified. Like I said, just my guess.

UPDATE: I forgot to mention, that 2002 Rocky Mountain News article that is linked above had some disturbing details about Fuqra's founder Sheikh Jilani. It said that he had been to Colorado and had himself owned some property in Buena Vista. It also mentioned this from one of the investigators of the Colorado case...
"Jilani, Fenger said, attended a December 1993 meeting in Sudan that included members of Hezbollah, Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

" 'I know Jilani was there,' said Fenger, 'and there was a huge group of Somalis,' a group among whom there are many bin Laden supporters."

More to come...

Previous Posts
Jemaat ul-Fuqra Compounds
Jemaat ul-Fuqra
Terrorists in rural America...continued
Terrorists in Rural America?

1 comment:

Jesse Clark said...

Excellent information, PoliticalCP. If you don't mind, I've linked to this post and your previous one at my blog. I'm hoping that continued public investigation into JF will produce the necessary government reponse.