Tech worker caught buying ricin on web

A COMPUTER programmer ordered enough poison on the “dark web” to kill 1,400 people, then set about finding a rabbit, chinchilla or another “pocketsized pet” to test it on, a court heard.

Mohammed Ali, 31, from Liverpool, allegedly tried to buy 500mg of ricin worth $500 (£322) from a dealer in the US, the Old Bailey was told. The father of two was unaware that the dealer was an FBI agent who alerted police.

Mr Ali approached the agent in January with an encrypted message: “Hi, would you be able to make me some ricin and send it to the UK?” He also asked how he could test the poison, and was told to use a rodent.

On Feb 10, Mr Ali took delivery of a toy car with “special batteries”. The car concealed five packets, which did not contain ricin but a harmless powder.

When police arrested Mr Ali they seized the package, his computer and mobile phone. He had begun searching online for poisons last October. He also searched for “pocket sized pets”, “animal rescue centre”, “chinchillas Liverpool” and “rabbit rehome – adopt an unwanted bunny from a rescue centre”.

Sally Howes QC, prosecuting, told jurors a 500mg dose of ricin can kill between 700 and 1,400 people.

Ali denies attempting to possess a chemical weapon. The trial continues.