Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives

Phoenix, AZ. – The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Arizona Department of Public Safety (DPS) and US Army Criminal Investigative Command (CID) are requesting assistance from the public for information regarding this explosive theft & recovery. ATF has announced a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for the theft of these military explosives.

On Wednesday, October 25, 2017, military explosives were discovered and reported to law enforcement when a construction crew unearthed them while involved clearing land. While clearing out the area, the contractor crew found plastic cylinders buried in the ground containing the explosives. This discovery was in a rural area of Pine, Arizona.

Investigators and explosive experts are certain that these military explosive items were buried in the ground for approximately twenty years until construction workers discovered them.

Description of the recovered explosives:

• Eighty (80) M112 blocks of military C4 explosive.
• Nine (9) M18A1 Claymore antipersonnel mines with firing devices.
• One (1) roll of military detonating cord.

"The ATF, along with our law enforcement partners are committed to ensuring that our communities are safe and that those who violate federal explosive laws are held accountable," said John Durastanti, Special Agent in Charge for the ATF Phoenix Field Division. “We encourage anyone that might have information regarding the theft of these military explosives or burial of them to come forward and contact law enforcement. “

The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to call the ATF 24/7 hotline at 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477) or send an email to ATFTips@atf.gov. Citizens can also send a text anonymously via the ReportIt® mobile app, available through www.reportit.com, using the ATF Phoenix Field Division as the location.

ATF is the lead federal law enforcement agency with statutory responsibility for investigating violations of federal firearms and explosives laws and regulations. More information about ATF and its programs is available at www.atf.gov.

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