🔗 Share this article

Law enforcement officials stated on Monday that they had effectively disrupted a elaborate plot to detonate IEDs at multiple sites run by two US-based businesses on New Year's Eve in Southern California. This action came after the arrest of people linked to an militant offshoot promoting anti-capitalist and anti-establishment ideologies.

Suspects Taken Into Custody During Desert Rehearsal

Four suspects were taken into custody last Friday in the remote area located east of Los Angeles as they were according to officials rehearsing their proposed attack. Officials presented aerial surveillance video to the media, which showed the suspects transporting a big black item to a surface. Authorities noted that the detainments occurred before the group could assemble a working IED.

Details of the Those Charged Made Public

Based on the submitted court documents, the four individuals identified are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Gaffield, 24; and Tina Lai, 41. Each of them are said to be from the greater Los Angeles area.

Reported Motivation and Group Affiliations

While officials did not directly outline a rationale, they stated the group are members of a faction called the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This organization allegedly urges "laborers to revolt and combat against the capitalist system," based on the legal filing.

The charges include conspiracy and having a bomb. Officials noted that more charges are likely in the next few weeks.

Elements of the Alleged "The Midnight Sun Plan"

Officials said that one of the individuals had created a meticulous plan last month to target multiple corporate facilities across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The locations were described as "like Amazon" distribution warehouses.

"This scheme was specific," the attorney stated. "It included detailed directions to make bombs … and named numerous objectives across Orange county and Los Angeles."

According to the probe and the complaint, the scheme involved positioning bags packed with sophisticated explosive devices that were set to be exploded simultaneously at midnight on New Year's Eve at five places. New Year's Eve was chosen as an ideal time as the document indicated "fireworks will be going off at this time so detonations will be more difficult to be noticed."

An eight-page handwritten blueprint, titled "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," suggested that more locations could be incorporated. The facilities were described as premises and buildings owned by two separate companies involved in activities related to national and international trade.

Long-term Plots and Proof Found

The investigation also revealed that two people in the group had discussed future operations focusing on Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel and transport with explosives in 2026. One individual allegedly said that such strikes "would kill some and scare the rest of them."

Such discussions were reportedly talked over both at an in-person assembly in Los Angeles and through an private communication application.

Pictures included in the case file depict a remote camp with what officials said were bomb-making materials scattered on portable tables.

The filing notes that the individuals "all brought bomb-making components to the site, such as assorted sizes of tubes, identified as an oxidizer, fuel, fuel powder, powdered sulfur, and components to be used as igniters, and more."

The scheme also had directions on how to manufacture the explosives and how to not leave behind traces that could be linked back to the group. The individuals had not long ago acquired precursor chemicals and other materials, via buys from online retailers.

Operation and Follow-up

Authorities took action last week while the group were running through the operation in the desert near a desert community. "They owned all the components they needed to build an operational bomb at that place," the attorney stated.

In the course of served searches, investigators allegedly discovered posters for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one individual's residence that called for "Down with America", and "Death to ICE". At another accused's home, police discovered a version of the detailed bomb plan.

Those arrested were detained peacefully. They were due to face a judge in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.