DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: CNN has learned that officials in the West African nation of Senegal have arrested a man who they say has ties to suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden. Sources say that U.S. authorities suspect the man could be a major player in a terrorism conspiracy investigation here in the U.S. CNN Justice correspondent Pierre Thomas is in Washington. He has more to help us explain this story. Pierre, good morning.</s>PIERRE THOMAS, CNN JUSTICE CORRESPONDENT: Good morning, Daryn. U.S. investigators say there's growing circumstantial evidence pointing to suspected terrorist Osama bin Laden in the ongoing investigation into a conspiracy to smuggle explosives into the U.S. CNN has learned Senegal officials have detained a man who investigators say has ties to bin Laden and is known to associate with Algerian suspects targeted for allegedly smuggling explosives into the U.S. According to sources, U.S. investigators suspect Slahi could be a major player in a terrorism conspiracy that was uncovered with the December 14 arrest of Ahmed Ressam at a remote border crossing at Port Angeles, Washington. Sources tell CNN that Slahi, who recently left Montreal for Senegal, is the brother-in-law of senior bin Laden operative, and Slahi is believed to have associated with Mohktar Haouri, who was indicted last week under suspicion of being a mid- level manager in the Washington terrorism plot. Haouri was being held in Canada. Senior law enforcement officials say that while they are suspicious of the many indirect ties to bin laden, they have no proof he directed the failed bomb conspiracy. They're still trying to assess Slahi's role. Slahi has not been charged by U.S. officials, but sources tell CNN the U.S. Attorneys office in New York is preparing to do so, but it's unclear what those charges might be. If Slahi is charged, he would likely be extradited to the U.S. I'm Pierre Thomas, reporting live in Washington.</s>KAGAN: Pierre, thank you very much.
Senegal Officials Arrest Man With Alleged Ties to Osama bin Laden