N.J. port stowaway raises terrorism fears

NEWARK, N.J., May 23 (UPI) -- The discovery of a stowaway camped out at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey sparked a terrorism investigation, sources told the New York Post.

Asem Haroon, 26, was arrested Jan. 31 in an empty Port Newark warehouse near oil refineries and other vital facilities, the law enforcement sources said.

Haroon said he was an Iraqi who had hidden on an Italian freighter but he turned out to be an Egyptian who was once denied a visa to enter the United States after authorities said he had fought against U.S. forces in Fallujah, Iraq.

"There have been reports ... that indicate al-Qaida is trying to use explosives to blow up oil tankers to disrupt the world's economy. What's right next door to Port Newark? All of these oil refineries," one law enforcement source said.

It was not known whether Haroon is suspected of being a member of the Taliban or al-Qaida but he does not seem to be on any terrorism watch list.