Federal agents will destroy more than 3,800 pounds of highly volatile illegal explosives with a street value estimated at about $750,000.
The explosives were seized Sunday when Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms agents raided a Mini Storage facility in Winamac. They uncovered 70,000 devices after making an undercover purchase of about 24,000 devices, according to court records. They had been investigating the operation since mid-June.
“These devices are often mischaracterized as fireworks, when in fact they are very dangerous explosive devices, which have the ability to kill and maim users,” said Scot Thomasson, resident agent in charge of the Merrillville ATF office. “The explosive materials used in these devices are far more dangerous and volatile than other high explosives commonly used in the industry.”
Albert Salvatore Castellano Sr., 59, of Rochester was charged with manufacturing and distributing explosive materials without a license, distributing explosives to a convicted felon and possession of explosives by a convicted felon. He also was charged with improper storage of explosive materials. He is being held without bond.
