Feds Search for Attempted Ammonium Nitrate Purchaser

The ATF is searching for a man of apparent Middle Eastern descent -- and false construction documents -- who attempted to purchase large amounts of ammonium nitrate. You may remember that substance from the catastrophic Oklahoma City bombing; it's what Timothy McVeigh used to destroy the Federal Building (hat tip: LGF):

“We’re still running down leads. But we thought it would be prudent putting out an advisory to the fertilizer industry,” said Tom Mangin, an ATF agent in Phoenix, where the investigation is centered. The suspect also made several Internet email inquiries to vendors seeking to buy between 500 to 1,000 metric tons of the explosive — a quantity larger than McVeigh used to bomb the Oklahoma City federal building in April 1995 but smaller than amounts companies typically might buy in bulk for construction, explosives or farm work. The International Society of Explosives Engineers, based in Cleveland, sent an e-mail Wednesday alerting its members and asking them to call ATF in Phoenix to report any suspicious activity. “ATF has recently been made aware of a suspicious attempt by an individual to purchase mass quantities of ammonium nitrate, specifically between 500 to 1,000 metric tons,” the alert said. “This individual, who uses a Middle Eastern name, purports to be a representative of a construction corporation. However, indications are that this is most likely false. ”The individual has previously made contact with other industry members via e-mail seeking the large amounts of ‘fertilizer grade’ ammonium nitrate," the alert said...

Feds Search for Attempted Ammonium Nitrate Purchaser