Saudi tourists briefly detained, questioned at airport
LOS ANGELES: Police detained and questioned nine Saudi Arabian men at a small airport after someone called authorities and said the men looked suspicious.
The men, tourists visiting the Los Angeles area, were at Whiteman Airport about 3 p.m. Friday to take helicopter rides, said Deputy Chief Michael Downing, head of the LAPD’s counterterrorism bureau.
Three of the men were in a helicopter touring downtown when police arrived. Upon their return, all nine men were detained, authorities said.
The men were cooperative, had legitimate visas and were released, said Downing.
The “suspicious activity” call to a law enforcement tipster hotline came from someone who was at the small, private airport, Downing said.
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/07/07/america/NA-GEN-US-Saudi-Tourists-Detained.php
Thanks Velveeta.
Better to be safe than sorry.