More explosives recovered from July theft

POLICE yesterday recovered another batch of plastic explosives stolen from an army depot in Limassol during the summer.

Police spokesman Michalis Katsounotos said 69 sticks of the PG2 explosive were found at an open area south of the village of Ayia Marinouda in the Paphos district.

“So far 187 out of 200 sticks stolen have been recovered with the police search continuing for the location of the remaining 13 sticks,” Katsounotos said.

The 69 sticks were wrapped in a plastic bag and covered with stones.

Four people are currently in custody in connection with the July theft from the depot in Palodhia, north of Limassol.

The police spokesman said the force had clear indications of how the perpetrators operated and the manner in which they had handled the explosives.

“We have before us strong indications showing exactly what happened,” Katsounotos said.

He said there was no evidence so far suggesting the explosives had been sold or changed hands.

Katsounotos could not offer any explanation on the perpetrators’ motive.

The police spokesman was echoed by Defence Minister Costas Papacostas who said “unfortunately the motives have not yet been confirmed.”

The minister appeared certain that the case would be resolved.

“The investigation yielded the desired results. The case is going towards full resolution,” Papacostas said.

The theft of the PG2 was a major embarrassment for the army and the Defence Ministry as it emerged that the depot, despite the sensitivity of the material kept there, was virtually unguarded.

There were no security cameras or alarms and the door was secured with three padlocks.

It was also determined that a nearby guard post was unmanned at the time of the theft.