Man held as weapons found in his luggage
Source: Agencies |
October 11, 2012, Thursday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
A MAN dressed in a bulletproof vest and fire-resistant pants was arrested at Los Angeles International Airport after a smoke grenade, gas mask, leg irons and weapons were discovered in his luggage, US federal authorities said on Tuesday.
Boston-bound Yongda Huang Harris, 28, was arrested on Friday on suspicion of transporting hazardous materials on a flight from Japan, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said.
Harris was not cooperating with federal officials attempting to interview him, according to a US official. The official said Harris is not believed to be linked to a terrorist organization, but his motive has not been determined.
Harris is a US citizen whose permanent residence is in Boston, and he recently started living and working in Japan.
Detention hearing
Harris has been charged with one count of transporting hazardous materials, an offense that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Harris made a brief court appearance on Tuesday, and his detention hearing was postponed to tomorrow.
Harris drew suspicion when US Customs and Border Protection officers at the airport noticed he was wearing the bulletproof vest and fire-resistant pants under his trenchcoat. That triggered a formal investigation by Homeland Security special agents.
Harris' checked luggage contained knives, body bags, a hatchet, a collapsible baton, a biohazard suit, a full-face respirator, billy clubs, a respirator, handcuffs and leg irons, authorities said.
The smoke grenade was subsequently X-rayed by the Los Angeles Police Department's bomb squad. Officers said the device fell into a category that is prohibited on board passenger aircraft by the United Nations.
"Depending on the conditions when it is ignited, the smoke grenade, made by Commando Manufacturers, could potentially fill the cabin of a commercial airplane with smoke or cause a fire," federal officials said.
Many of the other items in Harris' luggage - including the hatchet and knives - don't violate posted Transportation Security Administration guidelines for what is permissible in checked luggage.
However, customs officers Kenny Frick and Brandon Parker believed in their initial investigation the lead-filled, leather-coated billy clubs and a collapsible baton may be prohibited by California law.
Boston-bound Yongda Huang Harris, 28, was arrested on Friday on suspicion of transporting hazardous materials on a flight from Japan, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials said.
Harris was not cooperating with federal officials attempting to interview him, according to a US official. The official said Harris is not believed to be linked to a terrorist organization, but his motive has not been determined.
Harris is a US citizen whose permanent residence is in Boston, and he recently started living and working in Japan.
Detention hearing
Harris has been charged with one count of transporting hazardous materials, an offense that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Harris made a brief court appearance on Tuesday, and his detention hearing was postponed to tomorrow.
Harris drew suspicion when US Customs and Border Protection officers at the airport noticed he was wearing the bulletproof vest and fire-resistant pants under his trenchcoat. That triggered a formal investigation by Homeland Security special agents.
Harris' checked luggage contained knives, body bags, a hatchet, a collapsible baton, a biohazard suit, a full-face respirator, billy clubs, a respirator, handcuffs and leg irons, authorities said.
The smoke grenade was subsequently X-rayed by the Los Angeles Police Department's bomb squad. Officers said the device fell into a category that is prohibited on board passenger aircraft by the United Nations.
"Depending on the conditions when it is ignited, the smoke grenade, made by Commando Manufacturers, could potentially fill the cabin of a commercial airplane with smoke or cause a fire," federal officials said.
Many of the other items in Harris' luggage - including the hatchet and knives - don't violate posted Transportation Security Administration guidelines for what is permissible in checked luggage.
However, customs officers Kenny Frick and Brandon Parker believed in their initial investigation the lead-filled, leather-coated billy clubs and a collapsible baton may be prohibited by California law.
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