Suncor Energy Inc. Ludwig's clothes contained no residue. Nor did the clothes and hands of his friend Richard Boonstra, who was also arrested Aug. 24. Ludwig and Boonstra are on trial for 17 charges related to oilpatch vandalism. Ludwig faces one more vandalism-related charge and an extortion charge. The Crown alleges Ludwig and Boonstra were angry with the impact of energy development near their Hythe-area Trickle Creek Farm and used vandalism to pressure energy companies to buy them out.
Potassium nitrate is a primary ingredient of fireworks.
Moreau also pointed out that smoke bombs of the type used by farmers to get rid of gophers contains potassium nitrate. Saltpetre, another name for sodium nitrate, is used by both gardeners and cattle producers. As well, it can be used to cure meat - although Lau said government experts told him that it is not widely used in Canada. Under certain conditions, nitrates form naturally in soil. In earlier testimony, court heard Boonstra was arrested at a roadblock outside of Grande Prairie.