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US authorities declared on Monday that they had effectively disrupted a detailed scheme to explode IEDs at several facilities belonging to two US-based firms on New Year's Eve in Southern California. The operation followed the apprehension of suspects linked to an radical offshoot advocating for anti-capitalist and anti-establishment ideologies.

Individuals Taken Into Custody During Isolated Dry Run

Four individuals were detained last Friday in the Mojave Desert located east of Los Angeles while they were according to officials running through their intended attack. Prosecutors showed aerial reconnaissance footage to reporters, which depicted the group carrying a big obscure device to a surface. Officials stressed that the apprehensions took place ahead of the group could assemble a fully functional bomb.

Identities of the Suspects Made Public

As per the public court documents, the four individuals listed are Audrey Illeene Carroll, 30; Zachary Aaron Page, 32 years old; 24-year-old Dante Gaffield; and Tina Lai, who is 41. Each of them are understood to be from the greater Los Angeles vicinity.

Suspected Driving Force and Connections

Although authorities did not clearly outline a reason, they said the group are members of a faction dubbed the Turtle Island Liberation Front. This organization according to documents calls for "the working class to rebel and combat against corporate power," according to the court papers.

The charges include plotting and owning a explosive. The government stated that more charges are anticipated in the weeks ahead.

Details of the Supposed "Operation Midnight Sun"

Authorities revealed that one of the individuals had created a meticulous blueprint last month to attack five or more corporate facilities across Southern California on New Year's Eve. The targets were characterized as "similar to Amazon" logistical centers.

"This scheme was explicit," a prosecutor said. "It laid out step-by-step instructions to make bombs … and identified multiple objectives across Orange county and Los Angeles."

Based on the probe and court documents, the plot entailed positioning bags filled with complex explosive devices that were set to be set off at the same time at midnight on New Year's Eve at five sites. New Year's Eve was identified as an perfect time because the plan stated "celebratory explosions will be going off at this time so blast noises will be less likely to be detected."

The eight-page handwritten blueprint, named "OPERATION MIDNIGHT SUN," suggested that additional locations could be incorporated. The facilities were described as property and facilities run by two separate companies connected with business related to interstate and foreign commerce.

Future Schemes and Materials Uncovered

Court documents also stated that two members in the group had discussed subsequent operations aimed at Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and vehicles with IEDs in 2026. One suspect allegedly commented that such actions "would take some of them out and scare the rest of them."

Such discussions were reportedly talked over both at an face-to-face assembly in Los Angeles and through an secure communication application.

Pictures included in the court documents depict a desert campsite with what officials described as explosives-manufacturing components scattered on portable tables.

The complaint notes that the individuals "each brought bomb-making components to the site, such as different sizes of plastic pipes, believed to be potassium nitrate, charcoal briquettes, fuel powder, powdered sulfur, and material to be used as fuses, and more."

The plan also included directions on how to construct the bombs and how to avoid leaving forensic clues that could be connected back to the individuals. The suspects had not long ago purchased components and other materials, via acquisitions from online retailers.

Apprehension and Follow-up

Federal agents moved in last week when the group were rehearsing the operation in the desert near a California town. "They had every item they were necessary to construct an operational IED at that location," an official stated.

During carried out raids, officials allegedly discovered flyers for the Turtle Island Liberation Front at one individual's residence that advocated "America Must Fall", and "ICE Must Go". At another individual's home, police discovered a copy of the detailed attack blueprint.

Those arrested were taken into custody without incident. They were due to make a court appearance in Los Angeles on Monday afternoon.