Feds raid Garden Grove chemical plant that sparked evacuations, explosion fears

The FBI has launched a dawn raid on the Orange County GKN Aerospace facility that overheated and threatened to explode, prompting a mass evacuation in May.

The California Post watched as several federal vehicles and about a dozen agents showed up at the Garden Grove facility early Wednesday morning.

EPA Special Agent Sawyer Rotell filed a search warrant last week to rifle through the GKN Aerospace facility in search of documents or devices related to an alleged environmental crime the company may have committed by allowing the hazardous methyl methacrylate to leak last month.

The leak caused widespread panic and forced evacuations of more than 50,000 residents, who feared the nearby flammable and toxic chemical leak would cause an explosion.

Residents were made to seek shelter elsewhere for several days after being forced to leave their homes suddenly. Officials prepared for the leak to worsen into a potential explosion, but were able to defuse the situation, and residents were allowed to return home several days after the initial leak.

Rotell will also take a sample of the chemical within tanks on site.

Of particular interest are the risk analysis reports that an employee told Rotell every GKN Aerospace facility is required to write periodically and submit to their headquarters in the United Kingdom.

The warrant specifically notes that any documents or records related to risk analysis will be among the items seized.

Rotell’s warrant is based on an alleged violation of 42 USC Section 7412(r) (general duty to prevent accidental release of extremely hazardous substance into ambient air).

The agent acknowledges in the warrant that the chemical released, methyl methacrylate, is not listed under the law. But the large-scale evacuation from the potential leak of the substance warrants a classification that it is “extremely hazardous,” he argues.

A violation of the law carries a max fine of $1 million.

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