Military grade explosives were discovered in a suitcase being auctioned at a backyard estate sale of items owned by a U.S. Navy veteran who recently died.

Fortunately, auctioneers found the explosives before the auction started on Saturday and called 911.

They found three blocks of military-grade C-4 plastic explosive, two tubes of a similar plastic explosive, a blasting cap and some dynamite inside a rusted, padlocked suitcase.

Conway Fire Department Bomb Squad officers reportedly took the material away and safely disposed of it before the auction began. Because of the condition of the explosives, officials said they believed the materials were beyond the normal 15-year shelf life.

Since the deceased owner was in the Navy, it was presumed that was where he had obtained the military grade explosives, however, it is illegal for any individual to possess explosives, officials said.

Authorities from the bomb squad notified the Federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms; Faulkner County Office of Emergency Management and Arkansas Department of Emergency Management.