Officials: Al Qaeda trying to produce ricin

Counterterrorism officials in the United States are worried al Qaeda is trying to produce ricin, a deadly poison, to combine with explosives for an attack against the United States, reports the New York Times.

Classified intelligence reports say that the al Qaeda affiliate in Yemen has been attempting to get large quantities of castor beans, which are needed to produce the white powdery poison that can kill when just a speck is inhaled or absorbed in the bloodstream.

Officials say they have found evidence the operatives are attempting to move castor beans and processing agents to the Shabwa Province. Officials think that once concocted the operatives are planning to release the poison into a contained space like a shopping mall, subway airport.

However, security officials say there's no indication that a ricin attack is imminent.