Chemicals Found at Staten Island Home

AP/NY Daily News ^ | 6-29-07 | ADAM GOLDMAN

[STARWISE]

Authorities descended on a Staten Island home Thursday after learning of the presence of large amounts of potassium nitrate, authorities said.

Police discovered more than a ton of the substance in a storage facility near the home. Small amounts of potassium nitrate, mercury, peroxide and sulfur were found inside the residence.

The resident, a man in his 50s, was taken into custody and charges were pending. His name was not released.

The substance is often used in pyrotechnics, but NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said Thursday there was no evidence the man was involved in making bombs or selling bomb-making materials.

The man was apparently selling the chemicals in smaller quantities on the Internet, authorities said. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives was investigating.

Joseph Green, a senior special agent with the ATF, said an Ohio vendor who deals with chemicals notified the agency Thursday that a resident of Staten Island had ordered a large quantity of chemicals.

Police evacuated a block in Graniteville, on the west side of Staten Island. The area around the house was cordoned off as concerned residents waited to return to their homes.

Police were not sure when residents would be allowed home. The chemicals first had to be moved to a site in the Bronx.

[STARWISE]

PING ~~!

[TomGuy]

His name was not released.

Hmmmmm

[neodad]

The substance is often used in pyrotechnics, but NYPD spokesman Paul Browne said Thursday there was no evidence the man was involved in making bombs or selling bomb-making materials.

Sounds suspiciously like "Terrorism has been ruled out"

[TheDon]

The resident, a man in his 50s, was taken into custody and charges were pending.

Perhaps just an outstanding parking ticket?

[endthematrix]

"an Ohio vendor who deals with chemicals notified the agency Thursday that a resident of Staten Island had ordered a large quantity of chemicals."

BOLO!

[piasa]

.

[wildbill]

“Bombs? Why no officer, I just felt the need for a ton of explosive material near my home.”

[ccmay]

I remember buying a 5-pound jar of potassium chlorate at the age of 16 or 17, with no more difficulty than if it had been kitty litter.

[WesternPacific]

His name was not released.

It is probably Billy Bob or Mohamed, take your pick.

[piasa]

There used to be a fireworks company in that area.

[bybybill]

Ever been to Staten Island, kinda makes sense

[jonrick46]

I remember buying a tin of potassium nitrate from the druggist as a young 15 year old. He asked me what I wanted it for and I told him that my mom wanted it for her garden. He smiled and sold me enough potassium nitrate to build a few small rockets. If I were doing the same these days, I would have purchased it over the Internet. My rocketry club would know where to get it.

[Gideon T. Reader]

Mohammed? Achmed? Arbella?
Mahmoud? Ussama? Ali? Yousef?
I GOT IT!

RUMPLESTILSKIN!!!

Now where’s my pot of gold?

[nw_arizona_granny]

Ping.

[Sarajevo]

Small amounts of potassium nitrate, mercury, peroxide and sulfur were found inside the residence.

I wonder what the BATF would think of the ammonium nitrate and sulfur in my barn? Or the bottle of hydrogen peroxide and old mercury thermometers in my house? Geez! The farm supply outlet is close to my house.......I'm a goner!/sarc

[Blue_Ridge_Mtn_Geek]

My roommate in college was a chemistry major whose family owned a farm in rural Minnesota. He told me that it was common practice for farmers who wanted to get rid of tree stumps or create an “instant pond” for watering their livestock to blast them out using a mixture of ammonium nitrate and diesel fuel (the same ingredients used in the Oklahoma City Federal Bldg bombing) detonated with blasting caps, all readily available from local farm supply stores. I asked him why they didn’t just use dynamite (also readily available). He said the fuel + fertilizer mixture was a lot cheaper, though sometimes they did use dynamite for the tree stumps, because of the convenience. This frugality seemed reasonable to me.

I thought these were interesting facts, but never considered myself threatened by my country neighbors having easy access to high explosives. Likewise, all the neighbors I’ve gotten to know in this country area near the Blue Ridge mountains keep a variety of potentially dangerous equipment, including firearms, handy for various purposes, but this fact, if anything, makes me feel more secure rather than less secure. Neighbors tend to take care of each other out here.

I guess the folks in NYC have a different class of neighbors.

[WildcatClan]

Hmmmm, I wonder who would buy Potassium Nitrate over the internet? I would think they would be very interested in who actually bought the stuff. I know I am.

[Calpernia]

I *don’t* know; but let me add to this with our current socialist environment.

These chemicals are also used to make fireworks.

Currently, NY/NJ citizens are being cracked down on for having fireworks.

Traditionally, we would drive into Pennsylvania and buy fireworks. NY/NJ are trying to force Pennsylvania into not selling to us. Rumor is, State Troopers have been going into Pennsylvania and obtaining the lists of purchasers from the stores. Then, if we bought there, we are added to a ‘watch list’.

Two days ago, NJ officials held a demonstration at the Kean University parking lot to show us minions how dangerous fireworks are and STATED to us, NOT to attend illegal firework displays.

Like I said, I have no idea if this chemical find is related to the current fireworks crack down; but it is food for thought.

[Calpernia]

More coming out now.

Authorities Investigate Chemicals Found at Staten Island House

Excerpt:

Police discovered more than a ton of potassium nitrate in a storage facility near the home. Small amounts of chemicals were found at the home. The man who lived there was being questioned by authorities.

The man was apparently selling the chemicals in smaller quantities on the Internet. Police say there is no link to any terrorist activity.

Police evacuated a block in Graniteville, on the west side of Staten Island. The area round the house was cordoned off as concerned residents waited to return to their homes. Rumors circulated earlier that a more sinister chemical had been found.

John Mausch, 46, lives around the corner and said he was only somewhat relieved when he found out it was potassium nitrate.

"I came out and saw all the police -- I got very alarmed,'' he said.

Joseph Green, a senior special agent with the ATF, said a vendor who deals with chemicals notified the agency Thursday that a resident of Staten Island had ordered a large quantity of chemicals.

The man apparently became alarmed because the same buyer ordered a vast quantity of the same substance previously. The first order was delivered to the buyer.