Hoax suspected in US ban on Jamaican air cargo: Transport Minister

JAMAICAN Transport Minister Lester 'Mike' Henry says the bomb threat that led to the 72-hour ban on air cargo from Jamaica to the US, the Bahamas and Canada may have been a malicious hoax, reports the Jamaica Observer.


After the consultations with investigators, the air cargo ban was lifted for Canada and the Bahamas and shortly after, for US as well, he told parliament.


Mr Henry also told the house "preliminary investigations by the National Intelligence Bureau suggest the report was a hoax maliciously contrived to defame an employee of an airport concessionaire."


All cargo had been stopped following a bomb scare regarding an outgoing cargo flight from Jamaica to the United States. Following the alarm, the US imposed the 72-hour ban on all air cargo departing Jamaica for the US or using US air space to Canada and the Bahamas while officials investigated.


Mr Henry said investigations were still being carried out to "confirm beyond doubt the preliminary finding as well as apprehending those who might be responsible for this disruption in international civil aviation".


US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) investigators arrived and consulted with the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority (JCCA), reviewing security arrangements at Kingston and Montego Bay airports.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)