When the FBI Comes Knocking; ABC Reporter Discovers Broad Terror Net

When ABC News needed some samples of the same hair care products purchased by accused al Qaeda terror plotter Najibullah Zazi, I was dispatched in a taxi to a beauty supply store in New Jersey. My uneventful assignment would lead to a brush with FBI bomb squad agents and reveal just how broadly the authorities have cast their counter-terrorism net.

ABC News reporter Rolake Bamgbose was surprised to return home from a recent assignment and find an FBI agent's card at her door.

(ABC News Photo Illustration)

CLICK HERE FOR COMPLETE COVERAGE OF THE NEW YORK TERROR PLOT AND OTHER TERRORISM STORIES.

Zazi is accused of purchasing the hair products because they contain the chemicals necessary for the homemade bomb recipe the FBI says it found in his computer. At the time of his arrest, officials were convinced Zazi was prepared to set off bombs in several crowded areas throughout the United States. Government prosecutors believed he was "creating weapons of mass destruction."

Related

Accused al Qaeda Bomb Maker Held Without Bail

WATCH: Al Qaeda Alert

More from Brian Ross and the Investigative Team

We wanted to show the actual products on a report being filed by ABC News correspondent Brian Ross, so I set out to North Bergen, NJ to visit Sally Beauty Supply and Lowes Home Improvement stores.

My taxi driver waited for an hour in nearly deserted parking lots while I questioned store employees to make sure I was getting exactly what was on my list, down to the color, shape of the bottle and volume of each item. With the help of a very attentive employee at Sally Beauty Supply I was able to purchase everything we needed. I paid with an ABC News corporate credit card.

The next evening, after a long week at work, I trudged up to the top floor of my Brooklyn brownstone ready to relax. As I fumbled for my keys I noticed a business card tucked between my door and the frame with a hand written note that read, "Please give me a call. You may have witnessed a crime. We need 10 minutes of your time. Thank you. (over) -->". When I flipped the card over, I was shocked by the information: U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent Bomb Technician.