The San Francisco Chronicle is reporting that several Americans have been arrested for plotting a coup against the government of Laos, had purchased weapons and ammunition and were trying to get Stinger missiles.

Nine California residents, including a retired California National Guard lieutenant colonel and a former Laotian general, were arrested this morning and accused of conspiring to overthrow the government of Laos, court records obtained by The Chronicle show.

    The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives filed a criminal complaint in U.S. District Court in Sacramento alleging that the men violated the federal Neutrality Act by raising money to buy military equipment including Stinger anti-aircraft missiles, machine guns and other high-powered weaponry that was to be used against “both military and civilian officials of Laos.”

Sounds like Forsyth’s “Dogs of War”, doesn’t it? Or a classic 19th century filibustering expedition. I’m glad that even under this incompetent regime the BATF hears about attempts to buy Stingers.

Unlike the recent domestic “terrorism” threats, where people were arrested for not much more than big talk, this group actually HAD weapons and money.

Also arrested was Vang Pao of Westminster (Orange County), a general under the former Laotian government who came to the United States in 1975. The complaint identifies him as the head of the Neo Hom, a movement opposing the Laotian government…The defendants allegedly had already bought 125 AK-47s, 20,000 rounds of ammunition

But I can’t believe this was a serious plot; Laos may be small and poor but its army could certainly handle 125 rebels. Not much is said about what connections and support the troublemakers might have had in Laos; did the ex-General really think he could take over? I’m not sure why neither the court nor the news story calls these guys “terrorists”.

Crossposted in orange, where there are already some good comments.