Explosives aboard U.S.-bound cargo jets spark global terror alert

October 29th 2010

Two suspicious packages found aboard U.S.-bound cargo jets in England and Dubai on Friday contained explosives, officials said, sparking an international airline security scare and prompting U.S. authorities to search several planes and increase aviation security.

The incident, believed to be an attempted terrorist attack, began on early Friday morning (European time) when a UPS cargo plane landed at East Midlands Airport from Yemen en-route to Chicago via Philadelphia. It landed in England as part of a routine stop over.

Scotland Yard said the cargo was removed from the aircraft and examined by explosives officers, after which they were sent for additional scientific examination. U.S. officials confirmed the package contained explosive materials.

A second suspicious package, also originating from Yemen and en-route to Chicago, was found at a FedEx facility in Dubai. "In cooperation with the FBI, local authorities have confiscated a suspicious package at the FedEx facility in Dubai," said Maury Lane, a spokesman for FedEx.

As a result of the discovery and the suspicion that they were terrorism-related, FedEx has indefinitely embargoed all shipments from Yemen. "The Company is cooperating fully with the authorities on this matter," Lane added.

Few details about this package were available, but U.S. President Barack Obama confirmed that explosive materials had been found inside.

UPS also suspended its service out of Yemen as a result of the discovery. "Because security is of the utmost importance, UPS is immediately suspending service out of Yemen until further notice," a statement said. "UPS is fully cooperating with authorities who are monitoring reports of potentially suspicious packages onboard cargo flights."

President Obama addressed the nation from the White House on late Friday afternoon, providing more details about the events. "I want to briefly update the American people on a credible terrorist threat against our country, and the actions that we're taking with our friends and our partners to respond to it," he said during a televised news conference.

Obama said American intelligence and law enforcement professionals, working with friends and allies, had identified two suspicious packages bound for two places of Jewish worship in Chicago. "Those packages had been located in Dubai and East Midlands Airport in the United Kingdom. An initial examination of those packages has determined that they do apparently contain explosive material," he added.

Obama was first notified of the terrorist threat by John Brennan, his assistant for Homeland Security and Counter-terrorism, at 10.35 p.m. EDT on Thursday. "I directed the Department of Homeland Security and all our law enforcement and intelligence agencies to take whatever steps are necessary to protect our citizens from this type of attack," he said.

As a result of the threat and out of an abundance of caution, cargo planes at Newark Liberty and Philadelphia airports were searched. Several UPS trucks in New York City were also searched, but no suspicious packages were found on either the planes or the trucks.

Later, United Arab Emirates flight 201, a Boeing 777-300ER that departed Dubai International Airport earlier on Friday, was escorted by Canadian and American fighter jets until it landed safely at John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

"This is only because there is cargo from Yemen on the flight," said FBI Special Agent Richard Kolko. "There is no known threat associated with this cargo or this flight."

Both packages discovered in England and Dubai were addressed to religious institutions in Chicago, according to Special Agent Ross Rice of the FBI. "In addition to this, there are no identifiable or specific threats to the Chicago area," Rice said. "Since two of the suspicious packages that were intercepted were addressed to religious institutions in Chicago, all churches, synagogues and mosques in the Chicago area should be vigilant for any unsolicited or unexpected packages, especially those originating from overseas locations."

In response, the Jewish Federation of Metropolitan Chicago has alerted area synagogues not to open packages that appear suspicious due to the way they are wrapped, or which come from Yemen or from any organization that has the name "Yemen" in it. It advised any institution that receives such a package to call 911 and evacuate the area.

"Needless to say, we all hope that nothing will come of this. But given the realities of today’s world and the information that has been made available, it is important that these security precautions be taken by all area synagogues," said Michael C. Kotzin, Jewish Federation Executive Vice President.

CNN International reported, citing unidentified sources, that both packages were sent from the same name and address in Yemen, allegedly someone with known ties to terrorism. It also said Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula is believed to have been behind the packages, although officials did not immediately confirm that, though Obama hinted towards it.

"Although we are still pursuing all the facts, we do know that the packages originated in Yemen," Obama said. "We also know that al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, a terrorist group based in Yemen, continues to plan attacks against our homeland, our citizens, and our friends and allies."

Going forward, Obama said, the United States will continue to strengthen its cooperation with the Yemeni government to disrupt plotting by al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula and to destroy the al-Qaeda affiliate.

In response to Friday's possible terror plot, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced it will take a number of steps to enhance aviation security.

"Some of these security measures will be visible while others will not," DHS said in a statement. "The public may recognize specific enhancements including heightened cargo screening and additional security at airports. Passengers should continue to expect an unpredictable mix of security layers that include explosives trace detection, advanced imaging technology, canine teams and pat downs, among others. As always, we remind the public to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity to local law enforcement."

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and DHS are expected to announce more information about the new security measures later on Friday.