Post by fragerella on Apr 26, 2007 16:24:19 GMT -5
Agents seize truckloads of explosives, weapons, etc. in Alabama
Simultaneous raids carried out in at least two Alabama counties today turned up truckloads of explosives and weapons -- including caches of live hand grenades -- from what authorities are calling a militia group.
Teams of federal, state and local law enforcement agents executed four search warrants in DeKalb and Jefferson counties beginning at 6 a.m., so far arresting five people. The raids took place in several areas in DeKalb County -- forcing the closing of Collinsville High School on U.S. 11 because of traffic concerns-- and in Trussville.
Authorities had to rent a U-Haul truck to haul away the explosives and weapons from a house in Trussville.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives launched an investigation into the reported militia group seven weeks ago, according to a federal source. Officials said the group had not made not any specific threats, but said they worked to quickly shut down the group because of its heavy firepower. One federal official said the group had enough armaments to outfit a small army.
About 150 law enforcement officers from several states participated in today's raids. There are 12 certified bomb squads in the state, and they often work together as a team or task force. Bomb squads from Jefferson County, Huntsville police, the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and Gadsden police assisted ATF bomb technicians in today's operations.
At least five suspects are expected appear in federal court this afternoon for initial criminal proceedings....
Some of the comments after the news story (well, there's actually only two of them at the moment) are interesting.
Simultaneous raids carried out in at least two Alabama counties today turned up truckloads of explosives and weapons -- including caches of live hand grenades -- from what authorities are calling a militia group.
Teams of federal, state and local law enforcement agents executed four search warrants in DeKalb and Jefferson counties beginning at 6 a.m., so far arresting five people. The raids took place in several areas in DeKalb County -- forcing the closing of Collinsville High School on U.S. 11 because of traffic concerns-- and in Trussville.
Authorities had to rent a U-Haul truck to haul away the explosives and weapons from a house in Trussville.
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives launched an investigation into the reported militia group seven weeks ago, according to a federal source. Officials said the group had not made not any specific threats, but said they worked to quickly shut down the group because of its heavy firepower. One federal official said the group had enough armaments to outfit a small army.
About 150 law enforcement officers from several states participated in today's raids. There are 12 certified bomb squads in the state, and they often work together as a team or task force. Bomb squads from Jefferson County, Huntsville police, the Alabama Bureau of Investigation and Gadsden police assisted ATF bomb technicians in today's operations.
At least five suspects are expected appear in federal court this afternoon for initial criminal proceedings....
Some of the comments after the news story (well, there's actually only two of them at the moment) are interesting.