NCJ Number
131127
Journal
U.S. News and World Report Volume: 3 Issue: 5 Dated: (July 29, 1991) Pages: 18-20
Date Published
1991
Length
3 pages
Annotation
The sharp increase in the number of explosives incidents in 1990 is due in part to the growing tendency of gangs and drug dealers nationwide to use explosives for demonstrations of bravado. Drug-related investigations led to recoveries of over 8,000 pounds of explosives as well as 185 pounds of stolen military plastic explosives, 143 grenades, 623 detonators, and some land mines.
Abstract
While handguns and semiautomatic weapons remain the weapons of choice for most drug dealers, developments in explosives use are still troubling to law enforcement authorities. Most of the explosives incidents were caused by homemade pipe or bottle bombs composed of ordinary household items. Explosives, including dynamite, can be purchased relatively inexpensively with few questions asked. But because drug dealers prefer not to leave records of their purchases, they acquire most of their explosives through the black market where stolen goods come from construction sites, quarries, and explosives manufacturers and dealers. Military explosives, which are often improperly accounted for, have been illegally obtained in several cases. To date, there has been little response from the government or law enforcement community to the growing bomb threat.