ATF Raids Alabama Militia, Finds Weapons, Drug Cache
Six arrested and 130 grenades, 70 IEDs, 120 pot plants recovered, say officials.
April 27, 2007 — -- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives announced a major weapons bust Thursday after executing search warrants at the Alabama homes of six members of the Alabama Free Militia.
Among the slew of weapons recovered by federal authorities -- with the help of state and local law enforcement as well as area bomb squads -- were 130 grenades, a grenade launcher, 70 improvised explosive devices and a pair of gun silencers.
In one of the homes, officers say, they uncovered booby traps during their search. Authorities also seized more than 120 marijuana plants and enough ammunition to fill a U-Haul trailer.
"All evidence developed will be presented quickly to a federal grand jury," said U.S. Attorney Alice Martin, who announced the bust in Fort Payne, Ala. "We will also ask that those arrested be detained without bond."
All six suspects face firearms charges. One suspect Wayne Bobo faces an additional charge of being a drug user in the possession of a firearm.
One of the raids, about a quarter mile from a school, caused school officials to cancel classes for the day.
Authorities said the six men had no clear plans to use the weapons stockpile.
"They just have a beef with the government," Martin said, "and they stockpile munitions."
Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.
