Authorities alarmed at fertilizer thefts in SW Florida

Naples News ^ | Wednesday, May 15, 2002 | SONJA BJELLAND

[Dixie Mom]

AP version of the story: http://ap.tbo.com/ap/florida/MGAXYEHT81D.html

Authorities Looking Into Fertilizer Thefts in Southwest Florida
The Associated Press
Published: May 15, 2002

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) - Authorities have been investigating a string of alleged thefts of up to $500,000 worth of fertilizer from farms in southwest Florida.

State and local investigators did not immediately disclose if the fertilizer was the type used to make bombs, said John Wilson, director of Lee County Emergency Management.

Authorities believe all of the fertilizer was stolen between February 2001 and May 1.

A report from the Lee County Sheriff's Office said $80,000 worth of fertilizer was stolen from Farm Op in Estero. A quarterly inventory also found similar thefts from Six L's Farms in Naples, LaBelle and Manatee County. The stolen goods may total up to $500,000, according to the reports.

"Any time people start stealing fertilizer, it brings the antenna up a littler higher," said Wilson.

Some types of fertilizer such as anhydrous ammonia also can be used to make methamphetamines.

[Icthus]

"..if someone is going to use this for its intended purpose that's just illegal. But if someone is stealing from three counties, that's something law enforcement is investigating to see if local groups would have an interest in that.."

Huh? What's the deal with the folks down in South Florida? Is there something in the water down there?

Checking for fertilizer bombs.....

[Dixie Mom]

I thought that quote was confusing as well. I think it refers to the crime itself--the theft of the fertilizer.

[Icthus]

I picture Barney Fife with a notepad asking them to describe the fertilizer....

[Woodstock]

Just a reminder PBS New Link - Training Documents Found

Missing fertilizer, explosives and cyanide?

Are these clues or coincidence?

[TomGuy]

One of those trains that derailed last week was carrying fertilizer, if I remember correctly.

It may be tin-foiling, but incidents with fertilizer, truck hauling large quantity of cyanide hijacked in Mexico...

From LAW SUIT DESCRIBES CASE FOR IRAQ’S INVOLVEMENT IN OKLAHOMA CITY BOMBING

"...said the plaintiffs, the Iraqi-inspired terrorist attacks that have occurred have often utilized ammonium nitrate (fertilizer), nitromethane [a fuel in race car engines and a rocket propellant] and cyanide, bomb ingredients ..."

Connect-a-dots or isolated incidents?

[Woodstock]

"Any time people start stealing fertilizer, it brings the antenna up a littler higher," said Wilson.

Anyone have a picture of this?????? ~grin~

[Dixie Mom]

Are these clues or coincidence?
Connect-a-dots or isolated incidents?

I don't know the answer, but if pays to be vigilant. That article about how there was prior knowledge of 9/11 is going to go to a thousand posts. Hindsight is 20/20, as they say.

[Dialup Llama]

>Missing fertilizer, explosives and cyanide?

>Are these clues or coincidence?

Given the recent track record of the FBI, they will be regarded as just isolated thefts, totally unrelated. After all they can't investigate unless there is proof.

[Coop]

That article about how there was prior knowledge of 9/11

There was no such article. The President and his staff were given ambiguous warning that Bin Laden's goons might try to hijack some airliner. Whoopie.

[Dixie Mom]

Yes, you are right. I apologize. I was only trying to make a quick reference to that thread, and worded my response poorly.

[Rebelbase]

Investigators need to check area golf courses for recent purchases of "cheap" fertilizer.

[Coop]

Fair enough. I just don't want folks to misinterpret what intelligence was available, as it's being reported. In hindsight it's obvious, but I've seen or heard of nothing that should have (IMHO) caused prompt action to avoid 9/11. Unfortunately.

[Dixie Mom]

I just don't want folks to misinterpret what intelligence was available, as it's being reported.

Yes, I'm absolutely livid over every talking head attaching the president's name to that story. My lonely little threads usually don't get much attention, but I really should have been more careful. The horror of 9/11 was unimaginable.

[Deguello]

"Missing fertilizer, explosives and cyanide?"

I feel that the hyjacked load of cyanide in Mexico is a decoy to concentrate Federal people to the Mexican border.

We have plenty of cyanide here in the US that can be stolen by just removing one padlock from a gate.

I will not tell you where, but I know of one large quantity of cyanide that is secured by a single Master lock.

[Quilla]

Wow! Thanks for posting this. A half a million dollars of fertilizer is and incredible amount of potentially dangerous material. I don't believe this theft was done by some farmer attempting to create his own subsidy - it would take one heck of a large operation to use this much fertilizer. This is extremely suspicious.

[genefromjersey]

Again: what kind of fertilizer ??? Ammonium Nitrate,Anhydrous Nitrate...or plain ol' 5-10-5 ??
It kinda sounds as if a dab of bull manure might have been misplaced, too !

[Dixie Mom]

I will not tell you where, but I know of one large quantity of cyanide that is secured by a single Master lock.

You don't have to tell us, but you might want to tell these guys: http://www.rewardsforjustice.net/

[Dixie Mom]

The type of fertilizer is not specified, so it could be any number of things. The amount is large enough to be quite suspicious, though. It certainly leads one to think of drugs or bombs. . .

[mc5cents]

"Any time people start stealing fertilizer, it brings the antenna up a littler higher," said Wilson.

Anyone have a picture of this?????? ~grin~

How's this?