Olin, Iowa-The Jones County sheriff says he may be getting some “inside” help investigating the anhydrous ammonia release earlier this month that caused the evacuation of nearly the whole town of Olin. Investigators are focusing on the Tanks-A-Lok security device that was on the ammonia tank at River Valley Co-op and is in widespread use in this state and many others in the U.S. Tanks-A-Lok makers and many of the users insist that there is no way beyond having a key to open the device. “If the lock is properly installed and in use it they (the thieves) would have had to access the tank in another way,” insisted Kim Swinford, U.S. manager for Smith Flow Control, which has exclusive rights to distribute Tanks-A-Lok in North America. Jones County Sheriff Mark Denniston disclosed that he’s been in touch with someone who has had “experience” with raiding ammonia tanks who may have the answer to that puzzle. “I have been contacted by an ex-con,” Denniston told Green Markets, “and he claims to be able to show us how he bypassed the locks when he was stealing the product prior to his incarceration.” Denniston said he hasn’t heard back from the informant, but expects to find out soon when he wants to meet and demonstrate the method.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain