In the past week, the Department of Justice issued a 65-count indictment, charging 11 individuals associated with the Earth Liberation Front (ELF) and the Animal Liberation Front (ALF) with acts of domestic terrorism over a five-year period. The defendants have been implicated in 17 attacks, including the $12 million arson of a Vail, Colorado ski resort in 1998 (Terrorist Incident forthcoming). The arrests follow a yearlong operation?Operation Backfire?that was headed by the FBI’s Portland field office, in collaboration with the Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms Bureau as well as federal, state, and local law enforcement personnel. The indictment is one of the largest against eco-terrorism organizations in the United States since the proliferation of such organizations in the 1970s. The FBI has signaled their intention to pursue animal rights extremist and eco-terrorist with the utmost vigor and have labeled the apprehension of members as the FBI’s highest domestic terrorism priority.

Eco-terrorist organizations pose a serious challenge to the FBI due their composition, as well as stated goals, and have become extremely adept at avoiding capture and/or prosecution. ELF and ALF are highly autonomous organizations, much like the modern-day al-Qaeda network. Targets and instructions on making incendiary devices, as outlined in the ALF arson handbook, are available on the Internet. Criminal incidents, perpetrated by members, are conducted in small cells acting independently by design from the larger group. Extremists adhere to strict security measures in both communications and operations, making it difficult for intelligence agencies to obtain incriminating evidence against particular group members. ELF and ALF attacks require minimal funding due to the rudimentary nature of the devices and equipment used in the attack. Extremists have also demonstrated a remarkable understanding of the law and are aware of the limits placed upon law enforcement personnel in their conduct of investigations.