Bioterrorism and Biocrimes - The illicit use of biological agents since 1900

218 Pages·2004·2.75 MB·English

by  W. Seth Carus

WORKING PAPER
Bioterrorism and
Biocrimes
The Illicit Use of Biological
Agents Since 1900
W. Seth Carus
August 1998
(February 2001 Revision)
Center for Counterproliferation Research
National Defense University
Washington, D.C.
Opinions, conclusions, and recommendations expressed or implied
within are solely those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the
views of the National Defense University, the Department of Defense, or any
other U.S. Government agency.
This study documents numerous instances in which someone claimed
that individuals or groups engaged in criminal conduct. The sources of the
allegations are documented in the text. Every effort has been made to
distinguish between instances in which the alleged conduct led to criminal
convictions and those that were never authoritatively proven.
This is a work in progress. The author welcomes comments,
especially those that correct errors, identify additional cases for research, or
identify additional sources of information on any of the existing cases.
Because additional research can change conclusions based on this data, the
author encourages readers to contact him before they use of any of the data
discussed in this manuscript. Please direct comments to the following
address:
Dr. W. Seth Carus
Center for Counterproliferation Research
National Defense University
Fort McNair, Building 62, Room 211
Washington, D.C. 20319-6000
Voice: 202-685-2242
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
ii
Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS..........................................................................................................................III
PREFACE..............................................................................................................................................V
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS......................................................................................................................VII
PART I: BIOTERRORISM IN PERSPECTIVE...............................................................................1
CHAPTER 1 : INTRODUCTION...............................................................................................................3
What is Bioterrorism?....................................................................................................................3
Studying Bioterrorism....................................................................................................................4
CHAPTER 2 : THE PRACTICE................................................................................................................7
Experience of Bioterrorism............................................................................................................7
Trends in Bioterrorism.................................................................................................................10
Acquiring Biological Agents........................................................................................................12
Employing Biological Agents.......................................................................................................16
CHAPTER 3 : THE PRACTITIONERS....................................................................................................25
Nature of the Perpetrators...........................................................................................................25
Terrorist Group Characteristics..................................................................................................27
Operational Considerations.........................................................................................................31
PART II: CASES.................................................................................................................................33
CHAPTER 4 : CASE DEFINITION.........................................................................................................35
Sources of information.................................................................................................................37
Assessing the data........................................................................................................................38
Organization of cases...................................................................................................................39
CHAPTER 5 : USE OF BIOLOGICAL AGENTS.......................................................................................42
Confirmed Use..............................................................................................................................42
Probable or Possible Use.............................................................................................................76
CHAPTER 6 : THREATENED USE........................................................................................................95
Threatened Use (Probable or Known Possession).......................................................................95
Threatened Use (No Known Possession)...................................................................................104
Threatened Use (Anthrax Hoaxes).............................................................................................122
CHAPTER 7 : POSSESSION................................................................................................................151
Confirmed Possession................................................................................................................151
Probable or Possible Possession...............................................................................................154
CHAPTER 8 : OTHER........................................................................................................................161
Possible Interest in Acquisition (No Known Possession)...........................................................161
False cases and hoaxes..............................................................................................................167
APPENDIX A: LIST OF CASES....................................................................................................179
SOURCES..........................................................................................................................................199
INDEX..............................................................................................................................................205
ABOUT THE AUTHOR.......................................................................................................................209
iii

Preface
This is the eighth revision of a working paper on biological terrorism first released in August 1998.
The last version was released in April 2000. As with the earlier versions, it is an interim product of the research
conducted by the author into biological terrorism at the National Defense University’s Center for
Counterproliferation Research. It incorporates new cases identified through December 31, 2000, as well as a
considerable amount of new material on older cases acquired since publication of the previous revision.
The working paper is divided into two main parts. The first part is a descriptive analysis of the illicit
use of biological agents by criminals and terrorists. It draws on a series of case studies documented in the
second part. The case studies describe every instance identifiable in open source materials in which a
perpetrator used, acquired, or threatened to use a biological agent. While the inventory of cases is clearly
incomplete, it provides an empirical basis for addressing a number of important questions relating to both
biocrimes and bioterrorism. This material should enable policymakers concerned with bioterrorism to make
more informed decisions.
In the course of this project, the author has researched over 270 alleged cases involving biological
agents. This includes all incidents found in open sources that allegedly occurred during the 20th Century. While
the list is certainly not complete, it provides the most comprehensive existing unclassified coverage of
instances of illicit use of biological agents. Research into the cases is ongoing, and additional information will
be incorporated as further information is uncovered.
v

Acknowledgements
This working paper could not have been prepared without the assistance of a large number Most
important were my colleagues at the Center for Counterproliferation Research at the National Defense
University. Ambassador Robert Joseph, director of the Center when the bulk of the work was conducted,
provided the author with the opportunity to work at the Center, which provided the time needed to research and
write this manuscript. He showed extraordinary forbearance and support for this project. In addition, his
careful editing substantially strengthened the manuscript.
Writing this study would have been impossible without the expert guidance provided by many people
who took the time to explain the arcana of biological warfare. To all of them, I express my appreciation. In
particular, I have benefited from the willingness of several people who have had first hand experience in the
development of biological agents to spend time explaining the esoteric art of biological warfare. This includes
the late Thomas Dashiell, William J. Patrick III, and Ken Alibek.
Detailed research into two of the bioterrorism incidents was supported in part by Jonathan Tucker and
the Monterey Institute for International Studies. Case studies based on that research were published in Jonathan
B. Tucker, editor, Toxic Terror: Assessing Terrorist Use of Chemical and Biological Agents (Cambridge,
Massachusetts: MIT Press, 2000). In addition, the author benefited considerably from interactions with his
fellow authors, although the conclusions reached here sometimes differ from theirs.
The author is grateful for the assistance provided by the staff of the National Defense University
Library. In particular, the author is indebted to Jeannemarie Faison, Lorna Dodt, and Bruce Thornlow for their
expertise in performing electronic searches. Especially appreciated is the expert assistance of Katrina Elledge
provided valuable research assistance while serving as an intern at the Counterproliferation Center.
A considerable number of people have provided useful suggestions that corrected errors and otherwise
improved the manuscript. My thanks to Kathleen Bailey, Ph.D., Gordon Burck, LTC George W. Christopher,
USAF, MC, Joseph Goldberg, Ph.D., Ambassador Read Hanmer, Dave Huxsoll, D.V.M., Ph.D., Noreen A.
Hynes, M.D., M.P.H., Ambassador Robert Joseph, Ph.D., Shellie A. Kolavic, DDS, Cornelius G. McWright,
Ph.D., Dennis Perrotta, Ph.D., and Brad Roberts, Ph.D. I am indebted to them all. Any remaining errors are the
fault of the author.
Finally, the research and writing of this study was guided in many ways, more than she may realize,
by the sage advice and expert assistance of my wife, Noreen.
vii
viii
P I:
ART
B
IOTERRORISM IN
P
ERSPECTIVE