He Bought 800 Castor Beans, Told the FBI It Was a Goof.
Except it wasn’t, and Ishtiaq Ali Saaem has been sentenced for obstructing justice
A 37-year-old man with a PhD in biomedical engineering from Duke told law enforcement agents in Massachusetts that he had meant to buy one packet of castor beans in June 2015, not 100 packets. He also said he wanted the beans in order to do some decorative planting around his apartment. Both were lies, say officials, and in April 2021, Ishtiaq Ali Saaem pleaded guilty to one count of obstruction of justice. On Thursday he was sentenced to three years of probation—six months to be served on home confinement—and a fine of $5,500. The case is drawing attention because the deadly toxin ricin is made from castor beans. In court, the director of advanced research at a biotech firm told a judge Breaking Bad inspired him to make the purchase.
In the TV show, main character Walter White uses ricin to kill a drug dealer; prosecutors say the toxin featured in 13 of the show’s episodes. Per the DOJ release, “After he spoke to agents, Saaem researched tasteless poisons that could be made at home. During subsequent meetings with law enforcement, Saeem stated that his interest in buying castor beans related to an interest in gardening. He also made misleading statements about his knowledge of ricin.” Prosecutors found no evidence that Saaem actually tried to make ricin, and no intended victim was identified, reports the Washington Post.
I was half expecting something about Jim Morrison.
Doesn’t he get the well-documented ‘no intent’ Hillary break?
Is hitting middle eastern terrorists in the head with an axe no longer acceptable? How about .40 caliber? No longer cool?
This guy needs to stop drawing breath of my fine American air.
Too harsh?
^^^^ NOT HARSH ENOUGH
Sum Ting Wong!
I remember growing castor plants in my Dad’s garden to keep moles out. Those plants produced so many beans it was incredible. We had no idea they produced ricin poison. I guess that’s what kept the moles away.
Remember castor oil anyone?
^^ Used it in my Hodaka.
Anyone tried to make motor oil from castor beans lately? Great stuff, lasts forever. Research the (now petroleum) motor oil “Castrol”.
Why are “terrorists” of The Free West so feldercarbing lazy!?
Seriously!?
Model plane engines used to run on alcohol, nitromethane and caster oil.
Now they use synthetic oil.
^^^^ Caster oil is still being used.