By CATHY ARONSON
Mt Maunganui police are investigating the theft of old explosives from a disused quarry site at Te Maunga.
The military bomb squad from Hobsonville Air Base in Auckland was called to the site on Tuesday to remove and secure two magazine safes which contained explosives.
Detective Senior Sergeant Duncan MacLeod said he was angry and extremely concerned that the explosives were not removed when the quarry closed 15 years ago.
The police were alerted to the theft by a resident who had noticed that one of the magazines had been broken into.
The bomb squad said it looked as if someone had tried to detonate some of the explosives at the site.
Detective Senior Sergeant MacLeod said the missing explosives were dangerous, and could include power gel, detonating cords and ANZMEX boosters.
"With the right detonator the power gel could cause a very big hole."
He said it was fortunate that the thieves did not get their hands on electrical detonators or the potential for disaster would have increased.
Yesterday the police were trying to establish why the explosives were left at the site and how much was missing from the safe.
"We are concerned that they may end up in the wrong hands and possibly in the hands of children who may not realise the hazardous nature of the products."
The power gel is grey coloured plastic and there is concern that children could mistake it for Bluetac or Plasticine. It is cased in a cylindrical tube like sausage meat.
The detonating cord is orange-red and as thick as a drinking straw. The boosters are similar to small cotton reels and are used as a booster for lower sensitivity explosives.
Detective Senior Sergeant MacLeod said anyone finding the explosives should not touch or remove them but should contact the police, who would arrange disposal.
Police alert after old explosives stolen in Mt Maunganui
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