Police trace phone calls of suspects in explosives case

TWO suspects held in connection with the theft of 172 kilos of plastic explosives from a Limassol army depot had been in telephone contact with three other individuals over 60 times in the days around the ordnance disappeared.
The two non commissioned officers, aged 36 and 35, were arrested a day after the discovery of the break-in at the unit at Palodia, north of Limassol, nearly two weeks ago.
Police, who have secured the suspects’ phone records, told a Limassol court yesterday that the men had spoken to three specific individuals more than 60 times in the days around when the theft took place.
Police said they have questioned numerous people and searched several venues but so far there is no sign of the explosives.
The two suspects appeared before the court as police tried to secure their further detainment while they investigate the case.
The court adjourned at around 2.30 pm and is scheduled to continue today.
The theft was discovered on July 21 during a routine check of the storeroom located where the PG-2 plastic explosives were held.
The perpetrators appear to have cut through the perimeter fence close to the storeroom and broken the three locks on the door.
Police and the Defence Ministry have mounted a large-scale investigation into the theft, which has exposed a lack of sufficient security measures for such a sensitive installation.
There were no security cameras or alarms installed at the depot despite the sensitive material stored there.
It has also emerged that a guard post near the depot was unmanned between two and four in the morning of July 21.

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