British Entrepreneur Responsible For Useless Bomb Detector In Iraq
As terrorists are known to wander through the streets of Baghdad and recently attacking 3 hotels and killing some 40 Iraqis, Iraqi government had invested in several bomb detectors that simply never worked.
The “ADE-651″ is a British made metal antenna equipped with a plastic handle and has been marketed as a bomb detector which requires no batteries or electronics. It’s said to be able to detect hidden drugs, weapons or explosives and was said to be functional even underwater.
Bur according to the U.S. military, ADE-651 is a piece of junk.
Air Force Lt. Col. Hal Bidlack said of the device that it has no practical application beyond maybe party entertainment.
The government of Iraq has spent a whopping $85 million for nearly 2,000 of the useless bomb detectors, and had even initiated a special training programme in order to teach troops to feet shuffling technique which generates the necessary static electricity to supply the devices with power.
Britain, where the devices are manufactured and marketed, have now called a ban on all exports of the ADE-651 and has arrested Jim McCormick, the businessman who made and sold the things.
Mr McCormick, a former police officer, is facing charges of fraud.
The ADE-651s were used by police and military personnel at all check points outside Bagdad’s so-called ‘green zone’ and airport road.
The devices are said to also be used at checkpoints in Jordan, Beirut and Amman.