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Police: Explosive powder, drugs seized from Elmwood Park home
Updated: February 25, 2013 6:11AM
ELMWOOD PARK — Explosive powder and drugs were confiscated from an Elmwood Park home early Monday after officers executed a search warrant, police said.
Police also arrested 19-year-old Roman Basarab, of 2628 N. 76th Ave. in Elmwood Park, during the 6:30 a.m. search of the home. Basarab was charged with three felony counts of unlawful use of a weapon, unlawful possession of marijuana, unlawful delivery of marijuana and possession of controlled substance.
Elmwood Park Police Chief Frank Fagiano reported that his officers allegedly found 162 grams of marijuana and two grams of ecstasy. The unlawful use of a weapon charges stem from the alleged possession of “black flash” explosive powder, which Fagiano said was found in the home.
Fagiano said officers recovered three separate devices that allegedly contained over a quarter of an ounce of the powder. Fagiano explained that flash powder could be used to make a homemade improvised explosive device.
The Cook County Bomb Squad was notified and an officer with the squad confiscated the powder. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms also participated in the investigation.
Fagiano said the arrest followed a two-week investigation by his officers at and around Basarab’s home.
“Investigations did an outstanding job for the past couple of weeks,” he said.
Basarab’s court date is Feb. 13.
