The Guardia Civil and the Foral Police of Navarra, in a joint operation called “ARCHÍMEDES”, have dismantled a clandestine laboratory for the manufacture of explosives from the synthesis of precursor substances for explosives in the town of Cuenca de Pamplona (Navarra).
The operation began as a result of the arrest of a person for an episode of ill-treatment in the family environment. As a result of the arrest, the agents were able to verify a possible crime of illegal manufacture and deposit of explosive substances by this person.
For this reason, the detainee’s home was searched where a clandestine laboratory was found with all the necessary elements for the manufacture of explosives, such as explosive precursor substances, other chemical products also used for their manufacture, in addition to small explosive devices already finished, electric matches (detonators), chemical formulas and instructions and laboratory material for the synthesis of explosives (pipettes, flasks, thermometers and beakers).
“Mother of Satan”
It should be noted that with the products seized in the clandestine laboratory, the following artisanal explosives could have been made: triacetone triperoxide (TATP), ammonal, black powder and thermite; all of them very dangerous and highly destructive. Also, among all the explosives that he had made or tried to make, TATP (Triacetone Triperoxide), also known as the “Mother of Satan”, an explosive commonly used by Islamist terrorist groups, stands out for its danger.
The agents have been able to determine that the detainee had acquired the necessary knowledge for the manufacture of explosives through manuals and video tutorials downloaded from the Internet. Likewise, numerous photographs and videos (taken by himself) have been located, in which the methodology used in the manufacture of explosives is recorded and the results of the explosions of tests carried out with them in which their destructive power is evident.
Likewise, it has been possible to identify several establishments located in different Spanish provinces, which had improperly sold explosives precursors to the detainee.
For this reason, these establishments were later inspected to formulate the corresponding complaints for the provision of explosive precursor substances to individuals who lacked the corresponding licence for their legal acquisition.
Homemade and illicit manufacture of explosives
Explosives precursors are chemical substances that, from certain concentrations and mixed with each other or with other products, are likely to be used for the homemade and illicit manufacture of explosives, for which reason their trade, acquisition, possession and use are rigorously controlled. to prevent its diversion for illicit, violent or terrorist purposes.
For its legal acquisition in Spain, it is necessary to previously have a licence granted by the Ministry of the Interior through the Intelligence Centre against Terrorism and Organised Crime (CITCO), which is the National Contact Point for precursors.
With this action, not only has the explosives that the detainee tried to manufacture been prevented from being used for illicit purposes or diverted to the black market; but also the enormous existing risk to the life and physical integrity of both the detainee himself and the relatives who lived with him in the home where the clandestine workshop was installed in the event of an accidental explosion during handling or storage has been avoided.
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