St. Louis - The FBI and a number of bomb squads in the greater St. Louis area are holding an explosive recovery week, hoping to get potentially dangerous explosives out of homes and businesses.
It comes after three Civil War-era cannonballs were found in the Mississippi River near St. Louis earlier this month. The FBI St. Louis Division says each cannonballs is about the size of a grapefruit and weighs six pounds. They were found by Army Corp of Engineers and dredged up from the bottom of the river.
The three cannonballs were taken to a nearby shooting range and simultaneously counter-charged to safely dispose of them. Here's video of the detonation:
On Monday, the FBI Eastern Missouri Bomb Tech Task Force held a press conference showing the types of explosives, which may be found in homes or businesses. They say these bombs, claymore mines, grenades and other weapons should be reported by calling them at 314-589-2680.
"These items may have been brought home as mementos by relatives from their time serving their country in the military, or possibly purchased at swap meets and similar venues," the FBI stated. "Ordnance such as these can contain high explosives or contain dangerous chemicals. As time passes, these items can become less stable, resulting in a higher risk of injury when handling them. If you discover any of these items in your possession, do not move, touch, handle, or transport them. Instead, call our dedicated number."
The bomb squads from the following agencies will participate in the week-long recovery:
• FBI St. Louis
• St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department (St. Louis Regional Bomb and Arson Unit)
• St. Louis County Police Department (St. Louis Regional Bomb and Arson Unit)
• St. Charles County Police Department
• SEMO Bomb Squad
• Missouri State Highway Patrol
• FBI Springfield
• Illinois Secretary of State Bomb Squad
• 375th Explosive Ordnance Detachment Unit, Scott Air Force Base