Airport scare with US soldiers from Iraq
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Airport scare with US soldiers from Iraq
Two US soldiers returning from Iraq were taken into custody at Philadelphia International Airport after a baggage handler saw what looked like a small arsenal of weapons in their carry-on bags, reported Reuters.
The weapons, which shut down an airport concourse security checkpoint and brought out bomb-sniffing police dogs, turned out to be a set of souvenirs, including ornamental knives from Iraq and cigarette lighters made to resemble a hand grenade and a semi-automatic handgun, authorities said.
"As the two individuals were passing through the checkpoint, screeners saw something in the bags and called the dogs. The dogs hit on the bags," said airport spokesman Mark Pesce.
The two soldiers were among a group of five trying to board a commercial flight to Kansas City after returning from Iraq through Spain. The pair was taken into custody by Philadelphia police and later turned over to Army police. Their three companions continued on their journey.
Authorities believe the bomb-sniffing dogs were drawn to the carry-on bags by munitions residue left over from the soldiers' duty tour in Iraq.
The weapons, which shut down an airport concourse security checkpoint and brought out bomb-sniffing police dogs, turned out to be a set of souvenirs, including ornamental knives from Iraq and cigarette lighters made to resemble a hand grenade and a semi-automatic handgun, authorities said.
"As the two individuals were passing through the checkpoint, screeners saw something in the bags and called the dogs. The dogs hit on the bags," said airport spokesman Mark Pesce.
The two soldiers were among a group of five trying to board a commercial flight to Kansas City after returning from Iraq through Spain. The pair was taken into custody by Philadelphia police and later turned over to Army police. Their three companions continued on their journey.
Authorities believe the bomb-sniffing dogs were drawn to the carry-on bags by munitions residue left over from the soldiers' duty tour in Iraq.
Gatvol
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Both are probably in big trouble for Stupidity and Oversight. Coming from a combat zone Unit Commanders, are supposed to screen their folks so they DONT forget that there is another world out there.
They also should have known better.
Sad to see some come back from what they did only to get in trouble for something like this, nice welcome home....Put it inyour checked bags and if TSA wont steal it, you will have no problem.
They also should have known better.
Sad to see some come back from what they did only to get in trouble for something like this, nice welcome home....Put it inyour checked bags and if TSA wont steal it, you will have no problem.
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It just goes to show how STUPID we all are. What threat were these guys? They were US soldiers coming back from a war for *******! Can't those Bozos tell the difference between the good guys and the bad guys, even when it is as clear as this?They had some souvenirs is all, did not intend to use any of this stuff for any criminal act, and were more than capable of looking after it so no loony got hold of it. It wasn't even real! So they broke a couple of airport regulations and the stuff should be taken off them and a small fine paid, but NO... It is blown up into a big deal and meanwhile, the real bad guys, who do not need to use guns and knives or imitation hand grenades walk on through.
