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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

(Newser) – 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.

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.
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)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 12 comments
JoeQ
May 4, 2011 11:21 AM CDT
How much you wanna bet there's a nice tunnel from his compound to somewhere nearby.
njgreen
May 4, 2011 10:22 AM CDT
I think they should divvy up the $740 among the SEALs who got him.
CHRiSTFELD
May 4, 2011 8:49 AM CDT
'500 Euros and a couple of phone numbers' sounds like a guy prepared to score some weed.

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