Amazon has been labelled “the terrorist’s best friend” after selling all the parts required to build a deadly nail bomb — without proper security checks. The ingredients, which could make an IED like the one that killed 22 people at the Manchester Arena, were purchased by The Sun in a single order.
Amazon did nothing to halt the purchase or alert officials
Tory MP Alec Shelbrooke said: “It shows once again that internet firms aren’t playing by the rules. I would go as far as to say that Amazon is aiding and abetting terrorism.”
The Sun has decided not to detail the components for the "Mother of Satan"-style IED in full.
Similar bombs, with a TATP explosive favoured by ISIS, were used in attacks at Parsons Green Tube station and the Manchester Arena. Yet Amazon did nothing to alert authorities or halt our transaction.
Former Military Intelligence explosives expert Major Chris Hunter said: “The fact that The Sun has managed to buy all of this in one go is truly terrifying.
“With relaxed security like this, Amazon really could be considered the terrorist’s best friend.”
He added: “This is really nasty stuff. The Sun’s managed to obtain lethal quantities of these chemicals that, when put together, could kill dozens and maim many more.
“Looking at all the material acquired, I estimate you’d be able to produce a device similar to those used on 7/7 which were able to destroy Tube carriages and a bus.
“How a multi-billion pound corporation can sell this without flagging it up to intelligence services beggars belief. They need to take a look at themselves and ensure it never happens again.”
The Sun launched its probe on the day of last week’s botched Tube attack at Parsons Green, South West London, which saw the terror level raised to critical.
We used an account on Amazon set up that afternoon and bought the items, flagged on government warning lists-
No system kicked in to link our list of purchases and their potential use in making an IED.
It had taken our team minutes on Google to find details of ingredients required for a bomb.
Some of the chemicals we had delivered to an anonymous South London lock-up were used in both the 2015 Paris attacks and last year’s outrage in Brussels.
One item, hydrogen peroxide, is restricted for sale by the Home Office. But we were able to buy a repeat order on the site.
Our purchases also included component parts including a pressure cooker, batteries and fairy lights.
The Government introduced extra checks to clamp down on the sale of suspicious chemicals after London’s 7/7 attacks.
But loopholes in current guidelines exposed by The Sun mean Amazon is technically free
to sell and deliver the DIY bomb kits. Will Geddes of security consultants ICP said: “The fact you have bought these things is terrifying.
“I’m astounded you got them from one source in a single batch. Amazon should have a system where, when these items are bought together, they notify the authorities.”
Explosives expert Simon Trundle said: “The difficulty is when someone orders a known recipe for an IED and there is no trigger alert.
“To detect such purchases, online retailers would need to know the recipe for home-made explosive and write an algorithm to do so.”
Amazon said all the items we purchased were available legally and can be widely bought elsewhere.
A spokesman said: “We only sell products that comply with UK laws.
“In light of recent events, we are reviewing our website to ensure these products are presented in an appropriate manner.
"We also continue to work closely with police and law enforcement agencies where we can assist investigations.”
Read More: https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/4519560/amazon-jihadi-bomb-kit-95-manchester-terror-attack/
