FBI Sends Letter Warning Stores About Suspicious Purchases of Fertilizer and Chemicals

By Allan Lengel

ticklethewire.com

WASHINGTON –The easy to purchase farm supplies and chemicals continue to concern the FBI.

The bureau has sent out a reminder to farm supply stores and other businesses in the U.S. to watch for unusual or suspicious purchases of fertilizer, pesticides and other substances that could be converted into explosives, ABC News reports.

ABC reported that the letters were not sent in response to a specific threat or the arrest this week of a Saudi student in Texas who had purchased chemicals as part of a plot to blow up nuclear plants, President George W. Bush’s home and the homes of some soldiers who had been stationed at Abu Ghraib.

“It’s a continuing outreach effort to develop relationships with business and entities that may come across suspicious activities,” Michael Rankin, acting special agent in charge of the FBI field office in Denver told ABC News.

According to ABC, the letter said:

“Current trends in terrorist bombings show that fertilizer-based explosives are continuing as a threat throughout the world,” the letter states. “Ammonium nitrate and urea-based fertilizers pose an explosive threat if prepared and initiated properly. In addition, certain pesticides can be used to cause widespread harm to people.”