3,5tons of ammonium nitrate stolen in Sydney

Ammonium nitrate goes missing in Australia

April 08 2004 at 11:30AM



Sydney - More than 3,5 tons of the fertiliser ammonium nitrate, a chemical used by terrorists for making bombs, has gone missing from an Adelaide warehouse.

The 47 bags were discovered missing late in March during a routine audit of a transport company, news reports said on Thursday.

Half a ton of ammonium nitrate was recently seized by police in Britain and members of a suspected terror group arrested.

South Australia Police Assistant Commissioner Madeleine Glynn said recent world events prompted police to investigate the loss.

"I make it clear, there is no information of any specific threat to any person and the community ought not be needlessly alarmed," Glynn said. "However, it's important that we establish the whereabouts of the materials as part of the overall national effort in combating the threat of terrorism," she told Australia's AAP news agency.

In the past week Australia's biggest fertiliser supplier, Incitec Pivot, announced it had stopped selling ammonium nitrate because of fears the chemical could be used by terrorists to make bombs.

The company said it would provide alternative chemicals that could be used as fertiliser.

The Australian government in March announced it would restrict sale of ammonium nitrate and enact regulations concerning its secure storage. - Sapa-dpa