Grenades, rockets being used as currency in Iraq

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http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/iraq/la-fg-explosives9jan09,1,5659485.story?coll=la-home-headlines

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Dailey, who has spent 15 of his 23 years in the Marine Corps in the explosive ordnance disposal unit, served in the Persian Gulf War of 1991 and the Marines missions in Somalia and Kosovo. Somalia, he said, was packed with explosives: "It was an EOD technicians playground."

But nothing compares to Iraq, and Fallujah, in terms of the amount, diversity and lethal capacity of ordnance in the hands of insurgents and civilians. "This one takes the cake," Dailey said.

There are even indications that with the Iraqi economy in near-collapse, ordnance became a kind of currency, with even civilians being paid with grenades or rockets, which could be bartered for food and other goods.

Combat troops say it was not uncommon to find homes with entire rooms used as warehouses for ordnance, much like an American home might have a spare room with athletic equipment or housecleaning supplies.