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Federal agents declared on Monday that they had effectively disrupted a detailed plot to detonate IEDs at numerous sites operated by two US-based firms on New Year's Eve in Southern California. The operation resulted from the apprehension of individuals linked to an radical group promoting anti-system and anti-authority ideologies.

Those Arrested Taken Into Custody During Desert Dry Run

A quartet of people were detained last Friday in the Mojave Desert situated east of Los Angeles while they were allegedly running through their proposed operation. Federal attorneys displayed overhead monitoring footage to the media, that showed the individuals moving a big black device to a surface. Law enforcement noted that the arrests occurred before the suspects could assemble a operational IED.

Names of the Accused Released

As per the public court documents, the four suspects listed are a 30-year-old named Audrey Illeene Carroll; Zachary Aaron Page, 32; Gaffield, 24; and Lai, 41. Each of them are reportedly from the greater Los Angeles vicinity.

Alleged Motive and Group Affiliations

Although authorities did not directly detail a reason, they stated the suspects are part of a offshoot called the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This entity according to documents calls for "the working class to rise up and resist against capitalism," according to the criminal complaint.

The charges comprise conspiracy and having a explosive. Prosecutors indicated that further charges are anticipated in the coming weeks.

Details of the Reported "Midnight Sun Operation"

Prosecutors stated that one of the accused had devised a meticulous scheme last month to bomb at least five commercial sites across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The locations were characterized as "Amazon-type" distribution hubs.

"The bomb plot was explicit," the attorney said. "It contained detailed directions to construct explosive devices … and named multiple targets across the county of Orange and Los Angeles."

Based on the investigation and the complaint, the plan entailed placing backpacks containing intricate pipe bombs that were planned to be exploded all at once at midnight on New Year's Eve at 5 sites. New Year's Eve was chosen as an opportune time since the scheme indicated "celebratory explosions will be going off at this time so detonations will be less likely to be noticed."

An eight-page longhand document, named "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," suggested that more targets could be incorporated. The locations were described as premises and buildings owned by two different corporations connected with activities related to commerce.

Long-term Plots and Materials Uncovered

Court documents also indicated that two individuals in the collective had planned future operations targeting immigration enforcement officers and cars with pipe bombs in 2026. One individual according to the complaint said that such strikes "would kill some and frighten the rest of them."

These plans were reportedly talked over both at an face-to-face assembly in Los Angeles and through an private communication application.

Photos included in the case file depict a isolated site with what authorities described as explosives-manufacturing components strewn across plastic folding tables.

Official documents details that the suspects "carried bomb-making components to the site, among them various sizes of plastic pipes, identified as an oxidizer, charcoal briquettes, powdered charcoal, powdered sulfur, and material to be used as detonators, along with other items."

The scheme also included guidance on how to build the bombs and how to not leave behind evidence that could be linked back to the individuals. The individuals had recently obtained components and other goods, via acquisitions from online retailers.

Operation and Follow-up

Federal agents took action last week when the group were practicing the operation in the isolated region near a California town. "They had all the components they needed to build an working bomb at that site," the attorney said.

In the course of executed raids, investigators allegedly found flyers for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one individual's residence that called for "Down with America", and "Death to ICE". At another individual's residence, police located a version of the elaborate attack blueprint.

Those arrested were arrested peacefully. They were set to face a judge in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.