Government Searching for Bin Laden Assets

Brazil is monitoring the nation’s financial system for possible assets belonging to Saudi-born militant Osama bin Laden, the prime suspect in the U.S. terror attacks, a banking official said.

In February, Brazil ordered a freeze on any assets in Latin America’s largest economy belonging to Bin Laden or anyone associated with him, but none have been found, officials said.

Brazil stepped up efforts to locate such assets after local media followed news of the U.S. attacks with reports that militants in Brazil might be working for Bin Laden.

Foreign Minister Celso Lafer also said that Brazil has heightened security along its border with Argentina and Paraguay. The area is home to a large Arab community that has occasionally spawned reports of Islamic militants there.