Feds Seek Source of Bus Depot Explosives
Authorities are attempting to track the origin of a third of a pound of C-4 plastic explosive and 1,000 feet of blasting cord found in an unclaimed suitcase at a Philadelphia bus depot.
Buses came and went as usual Saturday at the Greyhound station, which was shut down for four hours after the military-grade explosive was discovered Friday afternoon.
“We’re going to look for the source of it and see where it takes us,” said Linda Vizi, a spokeswoman for the FBI.
The C-4 explosive--the kind used in last year’s attack on the U.S. destroyer Cole in Yemen--and the 1,000 feet of green blasting cord would have been enough to level the depot if they had exploded, police said.
Investigators are examining surveillance videotape from the depot in hopes of finding the person who rented the locker.
Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms spokesman Darrell O’Connor said all C-4 manufactured in the United States contains tracing elements that can identify where it was made and who last possessed it legally.
O’Connor said he was unsure how quickly agents would be able to make a match.
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