________ SWAT MAGAZINE ISSUE TWENTY ONE: SEPTEMBER 1999_________ / \___________________________________________/ \ / Exploding Drugs and M-80's \ / By Mr_rg92 \ ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Exploding Drugs The explosives are fashioned from a compound of red phosphorus and potassium chloride which is then rolled and wrapped into aluminum foil balls. The balls are soaked in alcohol to make the mixture safe. When the alcohol completely evaporates, the chemicals incisde the ball become explosive. These foil balls are then place in locations that are commonly searched by the police. The devies detonate when an officers, believing he/she has found commonly wrapped narcotics, opens the aluminum foil ball to examine its contents. They are extremely sensitive to heat, shock and friction. Attempts to unwrap the foil will likely result in an explosion capable of blowing off the fingertips. Dropping these devices may cause detonation. Two officers were slightly injured recently while attempting to unwrap mini-bombs. Explosive devices have been found in three sizes, equivalent ot a marble, egg and baseball. The explosive force of the latter will cause death. The mini-bombs resemble foil-wrapped illicit drugs, the most common being from one quarter to one half inch in diameter. Construction of these devices consists of a BB surrounded by a mixture of red phosphorus and potassium. This concotion is then wrapped tightly in aluminum foil. Dropper is the term by which users refer to the mini-bomb. The majority of those discovered so far are marble sized. Detoantion of a 25 or 50 dropper mini=bomb could result in serious injury or death, It is believed that suspects possessing or transporting thes devices wrap them in heavy padding, such as cotton or sponge rubber. Any suspected device or container labeled red phosphorus, potassium chlrorate or perchlorate should be handled by explosive disposal personnel only. These bombs first appeared in Arizona in 1983 and resurfaced again in 1986. Since January 1987, these have been at least six occasions where the mini-bombs were discovered during drug searches. Aluminum foil mini-bombs have been uncovered during routine searches by the Arizona Department of Public Safety adn the Phoenix Police Department. To date, mini bombs have only been found during searches involving motorcycle gang and prison gang members, primarily the Dirty Dozen motorcycle gang and the Aryan Brotherhood prison gang. M-80S MATERIALS 1 part powdered sulfur 1 part powdered potassium 2 parts powdered perchlorate cardboard tube glue fuse Mix the powdered chemicals together. Note: Do not substitue potassium chlorate for potassium perchlorate. Potassium chlorate will explode when mixed with sulfur. Seal the bottom of the cardboard tube with glue. Pour the powdered mixture into the cardboard tube. Glue the top of the tube shut and insert the fuse while the glue is still wet. Light the fuse and throw.