$50,000 Reward for Missing Explosives

In a breaking story from CNN, the ATF reports they have found that there are 550 pounds of explosives missing in New Mexico. Federal authorities have “upped the ante” in locating these “missing explosives” by offering a $50,000 reward for information about the explosives, which were reported “missing” from a business near Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Reportedly taken from the business, which is “licensed to store” them, were 400 lbs. of high explosives, and 150 pounds of plastic explosives, said a spokesman for the ATF. The stolen explosives, which were discovered on Sunday night, consisted of “detonators, commercial explosives, sheet explosives, prima cord and shock tubes, he said”. Quite a score I must add!

Governor Richardson wrote a statement that state agencies have been alerted to report any suspicious activity, adding that “it is my understanding that the explosives were stolen from a private magazine.” And, “there is no specific threat”. Comforting eh?

A terrorism expert from Rand Corp, Brian Jenkins, said “such thefts are common, with 1990s figures showing more than 100 such incidents each year”. Hundreds of bombings occur every year, and most have nothing to do with terrorism, said Jenkins. “Most have to do with insurance fraud, organized crime, personal vendettas, extortion, revenge, vandalism and protest.” Comforting eh?

Downplaying this scary material is about all officials can do, I understand from a PR standpoint, while they conduct investigations. But, I do hope the $50K that has been put up as a reward for info leading to the capture of these felons, is an indicator of how badly our law enforcement agencies are working to take the explosives out of the hands of crazies, organized crime, and of course terrorists like I said “crazies”. Just a stick will bring down an airliner with hundreds of innocent men, women, and children – wipe out a Greyhound – take out a small restaurant. Just use your imagination. The sheer amount and quality of the ordnance is enough to make one shudder if you’ve ever seen this stuff at work. Go get ‘em ATF!