About 700 pounds of explosives stolen

HOUSTON, Oct 11, 2001 (United Press International via COMTEX) -- The theft of 700 pounds of explosives used in oil drilling and exploration was under investigation Thursday in Houston.

Hundreds of shaped charges were stolen during the long Columbus Day weekend from AirJac Drilling, Inc., near George Bush Intercontinental Airport, according to Franceska Perot, a spokeswoman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms.

Perot said the explosives could be "very dangerous" if the thieves know how to use the charges that were stored in a mobile bunker. She would not say if terrorists might be involved.

"It's very early in the investigation, we can't rule anything out," she said.

The charges were stored in an unmarked metal bunker in a remote field about five miles from the airport. The thieves apparently tied a chain to the container and flipped it over to access the explosives and blasting caps, Perot said.

The ATF would not discuss what leads they might have in the investigation.

AirJac employees discovered the theft Tuesday and reported it to the Harris County sheriff's office, which called in the ATF agents.

AirJac, which is based in New Iberia, La., would only say the theft is under investigation.

Perot said the theft was getting special attention because of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks and the heightened alert across the country.

-- Anonymous, October 11, 2001

Answers

oh lovely...

-- Anonymous, October 11, 2001

well ... this makes one feel warm and fuzzy!!!!! NOT!!!!!

-- Anonymous, October 11, 2001