explosives theft

Long term DDT holders will remember a rumour about a possible contract with Orica. One of the possible applications mentioned was the tracking of explosives. Now a pretty disturbing explosives theft has occurred - the victim? Orica. Here's hoping there are no more victims.

From smh.com.au...

Explosives ingredient stolen from train

Jano Gibson
October 26, 2006 - 9:18AM

NSW counter-terrorism police have been alerted after more than 400 kilograms of the chemical fertiliser ammonium nitrate - an explosive ingredient used by terrorists to make bombs - was stolen from a freight train earlier this month.

The theft occurred on October 6 about 6.30am as the freight train sat idle at Glendale, near Newcastle, waiting for another train to pass.

The driver of the second train alerted authorities after noticing some of the granular substance had spilled on to the tracks.

When police made a closer inspection of the train, they found a lock on one of the carriages had been sabotaged.

Then, after an audit by the owner of the explosive substance, Orica, it was discovered that 440 kilograms of ammonium nitrate was missing, leading police to suspect foul play.

"The train moved to a by-line to allow another train to pass and while it was stable there for about half an hour, it obviously appears that somebody has broken the lock on the carriage," Acting Superintendent Gary O'Dell told smh.com.au.

"We can confirm that the train was tampered with, was broken into and a substantial amount was spilt on the ground.

"Until we confirm otherwise, we are treating it as a theft."

Mr O'Dell said the state's counter-terrorism unit has been alerted and is keeping a close watch on the investigation, which continues to be run by detectives from the Lake Macquarie Local Area Command.

"It's part of our normal process, given the fact that it was ammonium nitrate that went missing. They are overseeing the investigation.

"It's something that can be used to produce explosives. It's something that until we can account for the ammonium nitrate, we are treating it seriously."

The train driver was interviewed by police but he had not noticed any suspicious activity, Mr O'Dell said.

The chemical fertiliser was used in the 2002 Bali bombings, which killed 202 people, including 88 Australians, and the 1995 bombing of the Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City.