The Cutting Edge

Britain's Metropolitan Police Service, a/k/a Scotland Yard, arrested six suspects on terrorism charges in London on Thursday, according to officials. The police officers arrested five Muslim men and one Muslim woman. The counterterrorism case was investigated by officers from the MPS Counter Terrorism Command as part of "a planned intelligence-led operation."

While British police officials downplayed any connection to the upcoming 2012 Olympic Games, the location of the arrests was not far from the main stadium, according to a U.S. police liaison officer. The city of London is preparing to host one of the largest turnouts of foreign visitors in its history as the 2012 Olympics fast approaches. The London Olympic Games opening ceremony will be held on July 27, 2012, with the closing celebration scheduled for August 12, 2012.

The Muslim men and woman, aged between 18 to 30, were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism, according to an MPS statement. Officers from the MPS Firearms Unit were involved in these arrests, as well. A 24-year-old suspect was tasered by cops during the arrest but he didn't need hospital treatment, according to the British Home Office.

The six terrorism suspect were taken to a southeast London police station and remain in custody. MPS officials have not indicated whether the terrorist cell was affiliated with al-Qaeda or other group, or if they were "lone-wolves" who are radical Islamists. Searches under the Terrorism Act of 2000 are being carried out at eight residential premises in east, west and north London and one business premises in east London, according to an official MPS statement.

The Obama Administration is prepared to deploy 1000 security agents to the 2012 Olympic Games in London as a result of terrorists — both foreign and homegrown — who may be planning a surprise attack. According to a source in Washington, well over 500 FBI agents as well as federal law enforcement officers from other U.S. agencies will be sent to Britain in order to provide security for the athletes, dignitaries, diplomats and other high-profile targets during the Summer Games.

Jim Kouri writes for the Examiner, from where this article is adapted.