Release # 03-05-85

CAMP DOHA, Kuwait -- Coalition Forces continue to aggressively patrol Iraq to eliminate smuggling weapons, trade and explosives. Coalition Forces also continue to conduct joint security patrols with Iraqi police in their efforts to increase the professionalism of the police force and prepare them for their role in a self-governed Iraq.

Coalition Activity:

Soldiers from the 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment raided a suspected weapons shop in Al Habaniya last night based on a tip from a local citizen. They captured one person and confiscated an assortment of weapons, ammunition and explosives, including an AK-47, several handguns, 80 pounds of gunpowder and a small quantity of C4 "plastic" explosives.

Third Armored Cavalry Regiment soldiers captured Almad Kalif, a suspected ringleader of recent attacks on Coalition Forces, in a raid early yesterday morning in Fallujah. They also captured 17 other members suspected of participating in attacks against Coalition Forces.

Soldiers from Division Artillery, 4th Infantry Division and 3d Armored Cavalry Regiment raided a suspected arms market near Taji last night. They detained five suspects and seized large amounts of money and weapons.

Soldiers from the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) conducted a cordon and search operation last night in Al Biaj to confiscate illegally held weapons. They detained six individuals for questioning and seized three light machine guns, three AK-47 rifles, several pistols and a cache of ammunition.

Marines from the 1st Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment raided a site yesterday where they seized two AK-47s, several grenades, a large quantity of rifle ammunition, a mortar round, two stolen vehicles, a computer with printer and numerous documents and pamphlets. They also captured eight individuals and held them for questioning.

Soldiers from the U.K.'s 7th Armored Brigade searched a house in Al Basrah yesterday where they seized several AK-47s, a gas mask, two mobile phones, a computer, various documents, small arms ammunition, 4.2 million Dinar and $1,707 U.S. dollars. They detained five Iraqis.

A patrol from the 3d Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment observed two Iraqis firing their rifles into the air yesterday in Karbala. The Marines stopped the Iraqis and confiscated their weapons.

Marines from the 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment raided a site yesterday in An Najaf where illegal weapons sales were suspected of taking place. They apprehended two suspects and turned them over to the Iraqi police.

Police Activity in the Last 24 Hours:

Coalition Forces conducted 7 raids and 1,968 patrols throughout Iraq. Of those patrols, 102 were conducted with Iraqi police. They also detained or arrested 204 individuals. Highlights of police activities include:

Soldiers from the 194th Military Police Company responded to a report of shots being fired from a building in Al Kut yesterday. They did not find the shooters, but confiscated several pistols and two hand grenades when they searched the building.

A joint patrol of 549th Military Police Company soldiers and Iraqi police responded to shots fired from a building in Baghdad on Friday. A witness told police where the shots were fired from when they arrived. The patrol searched the building, apprehended an Iraqi man and seized an AK-47 rifle with ammunition. They took the subject to the new Baghdad Police Station, where he was released after questioning.

Iraqi police fired at an Iraqi man when he tried to drive through their vehicle checkpoint in Baghdad on Friday. The Iraqi police pursued and captured him. After interrogating the individual at the Al Shuala police station, he led the police to a house where his alleged accomplice lived. No one was at the house so police returned to the police station with the violator.

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