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There’s nothing wrong with uploading a Do-It-Yourself video tutorial online, but it can be a crime especially when you teach the public on how to do their own explosives. In Taipei, Taiwan, two teenagers were arrested for sharing their DIY explosive video in Youtube.
The suspects were identified as Cheng and Wei; they never thought that a single video tutorial would lead them behind prison bars. According to the Criminal Investigation Bureau (CIB), the two were arrested in their homes on June 18, 2015.
The said video was uploaded since last year when the two teenagers were only 17. It was a 15-minute video “instructing” people on how to gather the chemical ingredients for the explosives, how to mix and grind them, and lighting them up.
The video became popular and garnered 200,000 views. Though there were people who enjoyed the tutorial, there were also people who were against it; hence, complaints had reached the office of the local police, leading to the arrest of the two teenagers who are now 18.
The CIB said that the two violated the Guns, Ammunition and Knives Control Act. Since they are not allowed or licensed to create explosives, their committed act is punishable by law. When questioned in the police station, Cheng and Wei thought that they’re little explosive experimentation was not a serious matter.
“We were just experimenting. Is this a very serious matter?” the two asked.
Cheng also added that he has always been fascinated about black powder and explosives since he was young. He then asked Wei, a high school classmate, to help him film the DIY explosive video tutorial.
When the police searched Cheng’s room, they found several kilograms of the explosive ingredients the two purchased from online auction sites such as potassium nitrate, sulfur and charcoal powder. The police also found some tools and instruments used for making the explosives. The two teenagers were able to create such explosives based on chemistry classes and websites.
Based on the dangerous chemicals and tools found, the police concluded that the two can easily modify firearms.
Chen Tsun-an, Wufong District’s head of the criminal investigation unit, is handling the case. Chen said that two teenagers are intelligent and quite impressed with their knowledge and skills about the sciences such as chemistry and physics. Both also spend time watching the Discovery Channel together. Chen also added that the two are from a well-to-do family.
“It would have been better for them to learn and do these experiments in school labs under the guidance of instructors,” said Chen.
Though the two are confirmed not to have any connections with terrorist groups, they will be facing the penalty of spending 10 years in prison, plus a fine of NT$7 million.
But since they are underage and are newly graduates from a vocational high school earlier in the month of June, the police will transfer their case to the Juvenile Court of Taichung City for the legal proceedings.