Old Mortar Mixed In With Clams Delivered to Plant

Millville, New Jersey Workers at the LaMonica Fine Foods food processing plant on Gorton Road were surprised when they found an old mortar shell mixed in with a shipment of clams they received. New Jersey State Police responded to the call along with technical support from the New Jersey State Bomb Disposal unit.

Since the item was military related, the police also called in an EOD team from the Air National Guard base in Atlantic County for additional support. The EOD unit removed the mortar from the plant and transported it to a rifle range where it was safely disposed of.

The exact type of mortar was not identified but reports indicate that it was 10 inches long and did not contain a fuze. The fins of the mortar shell were almost completed rusted off with only remnants remaining. The source of the clams is under investigation to determine if the potential exists for additional munitions.