Explosives discovered at rural residence

CARUTHERSVILLE - Federal and local officials uncovered a cache of explosives and guns at a rural Caruthersville residence Thursday.

Pemiscot County Sheriff Tommy Greenwell reported officers from his department along with agents from the Division of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and the Bootheel Drug Task Force served a warrant Thursday morning at a residence on County Highway 553 in the Cottonwood Point area. The warrant was the result of an on-going investigation by federal and county authorities.

During the search investigators found approximately 36 military artillery simulators (explosives), one pipe bomb, illegal fireworks, approximately 18 weapons ranging from shotguns and rifles to handguns along with about 3,800 rounds of assorted ammunition.

Other items located inside the residence included aluminum powder, smokeless powder and potassium perchlorate, Greenwell said. "These items are used in manufacturing powerful explosives that could cause serious damage to life and property, and even death," the sheriff added.

Although no one was taken into custody at the scene, Greenwell indicated the identity of the person responsible is known and federal charges are expected to be filed.