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US authorities stated on Monday that they had effectively disrupted a comprehensive plot to explode explosive devices at numerous facilities belonging to two US-based companies on New Year's Eve in the southern part of the state. The operation followed the apprehension of suspects linked to an militant faction advocating for anti-capitalist and anti-authority views.

Those Arrested Taken Into Custody During Isolated Rehearsal

A quartet of individuals were taken into custody last Friday in the desert region situated east of Los Angeles while they were according to officials rehearsing their planned strike. Federal attorneys presented aerial monitoring images to the media, that depicted the group carrying a large dark object to a surface. Authorities emphasized that the detainments took place prior to the individuals could assemble a fully functional explosive device.

Details of the Those Charged Disclosed

As per the filed legal filing, the four suspects listed are a 30-year-old named Audrey Illeene Carroll; Zachary Aaron Page, 32 years old; 24-year-old Dante Gaffield; and Tina Lai, who is 41. The group are reportedly from the Los Angeles vicinity.

Suspected Motivation and Group Affiliations

Although officials did not directly detail a motive, they indicated the suspects are part of a offshoot dubbed the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This organization according to documents urges "the working class to rebel and combat against corporate power," based on the criminal complaint.

The charges involve conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of a explosive. Prosecutors indicated that additional counts are expected in the weeks ahead.

Elements of the Alleged "The Midnight Sun Plan"

Prosecutors stated that one of the suspects had devised a meticulous blueprint last month to attack at least five commercial sites across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The targets were characterized as "Amazon-type" distribution hubs.

"This scheme was specific," a prosecutor stated. "It laid out detailed directions to construct explosive devices … and named several targets across the county of Orange and Los Angeles."

As per the investigation and court documents, the scheme entailed placing bags filled with sophisticated pipe bombs that were planned to be set off at the same time at midnight on New Year's Eve at several locations. New Year's Eve was seen as an opportune time because the scheme noted "fireworks will be going off at this time so detonations will be less likely to be heard."

An eight-page longhand plan, titled "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," stated that further sites could be added. The facilities were described as premises and operations run by two different companies tied to operations affecting national and international trade.

Future Schemes and Materials Uncovered

The criminal complaint also revealed that two members in the group had planned subsequent operations aimed at ICE agents agents and transport with explosives in 2026. One accused allegedly said that such attacks "would kill some and frighten the rest of them."

These plans were allegedly planned both at an in-person gathering in Los Angeles and through an secure digital platform.

Images contained in the legal filings depict a remote camp with what investigators described as IED-construction items strewn across portable tables.

Official documents notes that the individuals "each brought explosive materials to the site, including various sizes of plastic pipes, identified as potassium nitrate, charcoal, powdered charcoal, powdered sulfur, and material to be used as detonators, and more."

Instructions also had guidance on how to construct the devices and how to avoid leaving traces that could be traced back to the group. The suspects had recently obtained chemical ingredients and other goods, via buys from e-commerce sites.

Apprehension and Subsequent Actions

Federal agents took action last week while the suspects were running through the strike in the isolated region near a desert community. "They had everything they needed to construct an operational IED at that place," an official commented.

As part of carried out raids, officials allegedly discovered signs for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one accused's residence that called for "Down with America", and "Eliminate ICE". At another accused's home, police found a copy of the comprehensive bomb plan.

The suspects were arrested peacefully. They were due to face a judge in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.