Informants say contractor was trying to smuggle Blackwater weapons after Iraq shooting

Informants allege proposed Blackwater weapons dump

RALEIGH, N.C. — Federal investigators say a defense contractor charged with trying to smuggle weapons out of Iraq told government informants that Blackwater guards wanted him to help get rid of weapons after a 2007 shooting in Baghdad.

Court documents say the man told one of the informants that Blackwater guards wanted to dispose of weapons before an investigation began into the shooting that left several civilians dead. Prosecutors have charged contractor John Houston with trying to smuggle firearms. Houston did not work for Blackwater.

Five of Blackwater’s guards face manslaughter and weapons charges for a shooting prosecutors say was an unprovoked attack on civilians.

A company spokeswoman says Blackwater, now known as Xe, has not been contacted by investigators.