South Carolina car found loaded with explosives?

[KeithPA]

This story, there's quite a few different reports on it, is very confusing.

State: Says they are terrorists transporting explosives
Feds: Say they are college students with firecrackers

GOOSE CREEK — A terrorism task force is investigating after two men were detained when police found a suspicious item in their car during a routine traffic stop near Charleston, authorities said Sunday.

The men, who had been stopped for speeding on Saturday, were being held pending a charge of unlawful possession of an explosive device, said Berkeley County sheriff’s Lt. Vince Lombard.

Lombard would not say what the device was or what bomb technicians from neighboring Charleston County exploded about 2:45 a.m. Sunday. The item made a loud bang, similar to a firecracker, when it was demolished.

A terrorism task force is reviewing evidence, said FBI spokesman Richard Kolko.

“At this point, it is to early in the investigation to say there is any link to terrorism,” Kolko said.

State Law Enforcement Division Chief Robert Stewart, who is the S.C. homeland security director, said Sunday, “There is no immediate threat to the citizens of South Carolina from this incident.”

Stewart declined to say where the suspects were heading or discuss other specifics, noting that the FBI was handling the case.

He said his agency’s bomb squad as well as other SLED agents who are cross-deputized to work with federal authorities are assisting the FBI.

“We do have some units that are heavily involved,” he said. “Ever since 9/11, there are a number of (SLED) agents wearing two hats.”

Stewart said the state’s citizens “must be constantly vigilant” when it comes to possible terrorist activities.

FBI spokesman Tom O’Neill declined comment on the case Sunday evening, referring questions to the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department.

The Berkeley County Sheriff’s Department planned a news conference this morning to provide further details about the case.

Authorities closed a mile-long stretch of U.S. 176 at about 7 p.m. Saturday. It reopened at about 4 a.m. Sunday.

Goose Creek, about 20 miles north of Charleston, is home to the Naval Weapons Station, which houses the U.S. Naval Consolidated Brig, a military prison where enemy combatants have been held.

The car, which had Florida tags according to a Charleston TV station, was heading west, away from Goose Creek, when it was pulled over about 7 miles from the sprawling Navy facility, Lombard said.

Staff writer Rick Brundrett contributed.

http://www.thestate.com/local/story/138429.html

Note to all of you: If you DWM (Drive While Muslim) with fireworks, you might get arrested.

[ChamberedRound]

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