Software programmer, Mohammed Ali (31) has been found guilty of trying to buy a deadly ricin poison from the Dark Web, after being inspired by the popular US television series, Breaking Bad.
It is said that Ali, under the username “Weirdos 0000” had allegedly managed to strike a deal with a supplier on the internet black market to purchase 500mg of powder for £320, which is enough to kill approximately 1,400 people.
Ali's source Psychochem was actually an FBI agent who informed the police in England. They had also exchanged the distribution of ricin for harmless powder.
The police arrested Mohammed Ali from his residence in Liverpool.
Ali told jurors in court that he was just “curious” and was unaware that ricin was illegal. He said, “I was interested in the Dark Net and ricin. I just wanted to know what the fuss was about. I wanted to know can you actually get anything from these sites. So I go on one of these websites – Evolution. I found lots of different items ranging from drugs, guns, other illegal items, and because I had been watching Breaking Bad TV show I just had ricin in my mind."
Sentencing has been adjourned to 18th September 2015. Mr Justice Saunders said, “There is no evidence that he was planning any sort of terrorist attack. There is also no evidence that he had in mind any specific victims for ricin. I do not accept he was going to dispose of it. I'm satisfied it would have remained in his possession in some way and that is the basis on which I propose to sentence."
The judge also ordered for a psychiatric report.
