The terror suspect accused of plotting a New York attack had a senior-level contact in the al-Qaida organization, sources said Monday as Najibullah Zazi faces charges of conspiracy to use weapons of mass destruction.
The New Yorker went on the CIA's alert after one of the government agency's sources tipped them off about his terrorist activities a source close to the investigation said. The government believes Zazi is part of a larger, international terrorist case, the source said.
The fact that the case was handled by the CIA is another method of proof that Zazi was part of a larger scheme, the source said -- most unique domestic terrorism cases are handled by the FBI.
Zazi was cuffed last month along with his father and another co-conspirator for lying to federal investigators, but was later charged with the higher terror charge. Investigators believe Zazi, who received explosives training at an al-Qaida camp, was plotting to attack the city's subway system around the anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks.
He remains held without bail in New York.
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