Cash Sewn Into Clothes, Osama Was Ready to Run

Al-Qaeda leader also had phone numbers sewn into clothes
By Evann Gastaldo,  Newser Staff
Posted May 4, 2011 7:23 AM CDT
Updated May 4, 2011 7:54 AM CDT
Osama bin Laden Had Cash, Telephone Numbers, and Was Ready to Flee Compound
A Pakistani man reads a newspaper with the front page displaying news of the death of Osama bin Laden at a stall in Lahore on May 3, 2011.   (Getty Images)

Osama bin Laden was carrying cash and telephone numbers, indicating that he was prepared to escape his compound at any moment. Top US intelligence officials told Congress yesterday that bin Laden had 500 euros (about $740) as well as two phone numbers sewn into his clothing. Three sources who attended the classified briefing confirm the information to Politico.

CIA Director Leon Panetta divulged the information after being asked why bin Laden wasn't surrounded by more security at his compound. One source explains that bin Laden believed "his network was strong enough he’d get a heads-up" before a US strike, and would have time to flee. Politico notes the fact that bin Laden was not armed also supports that theory. (More Osama bin Laden stories.)

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