Updating Staten Island Chemical Find

Last night, investigators were looking into a stash of chemicals, including potassium nitrate and other potentially explosive chemicals found in the course of executing an ATF warrant.

More than 21 different kinds of chemicals were recovered from the scene, and investigators have charged Miguel Serrano, 57, with reckless endangerment and other charges are pending. It appears that he was buying chemicals in bulk and reselling them.

The disturbing discovery led to the evacuation of more than 200 residents from 56 homes on Ada Drive, which is off Richmond Avenue bordering Baron Hirsch Cemetery.

At the nearby Public Storage Facility at 1107 Goethals Road North in Mariners Harbor, cops found 2,500 pounds of potassium nitrate, a component of gunpowder. The chemical, also known as saltpeter, is commercially used as fertilizer, cleaning solvent for septic tanks and meat preservative.

Investigators say Miguel Serrano, 57, the homeowner of 199 Ada Dr. who also was renting the storage space, had purchased the chemicals in bulk and was reselling them for a profit on the Internet.

It is believed that Serrano was also using some of the chemicals, including mercury and peroxide, to clean his pool.

He was charged with reckless endangerment; other charges are pending, police said.

"He was an unlicensed chemical salesman," said one cop source with knowledge of the investigation. "He has no conscience. Who knows who he was selling to on the Internet?"

Serrano has a past criminal history, but is currently operating a ministry and charity out of his home but his actions raised suspicions when a supplier in Ohio found something untoward:

The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives was tipped off to the potential chemical hoarding yesterday afternoon by a supplier in Ohio, who was concerned about a large order Serrano placed with the company for another delivery slated for August, said Joe Green, a special agent for the ATF New York field division.

"He claims he majored in chemistry and biology in college and that his wife also dabbles with chemicals," said one police source. "He also runs a ministry out of his home and claimed to be teaching the kids about science."

Neighbor Robert Bolloli, who lives at 189 Ada Dr., said that Serrano -- affectionately called "the Preacher" by neighborhood kids -- often traveled with his family down to the Carolinas with shipments of clothes, food and money for his ministry.

The source added that Serrano also said he could purchase the potassium nitrate wholesale at 40 cents per pound, then resell it for $1 per pound retail.

Investigators do not believe there are any connections to terrorism, though the fact that he had potentially hazardous chemicals in his residence is small comfort to his neighbors.