Officials examine suspicious packages in US, UK

AP/YahooNews ^ | 10/29/10 | RANDY PENNELL

[Kartographer]

A suspicious package containing a toner cartridge with wires and powder was found during routine screening of cargo in the United Kingdom, prompting authorities to scour planes and a truck in the United States on Friday. Searches were done in Philadelphia, Newark, N.J., and New York City.

During a basic security screening process in the United Kingdom, officials found a suspicious item on a cargo plane, according to a U.S. government official who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the ongoing investigation.

U.K. officials discovered that a toner cartridge on the plane had been manipulated and found wires attached to it and white powder. Tests on the device came back negative for explosives, according to a law enforcement official who also spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the investigation.

[Mariner]

Small explosive with Anthrax powder?

Do that in two dozen locations and folks will get not only scared, but MAD AS HELL.

[Pete]

CNN learns two similar packages being examined in Dubai and United Kingdom #UPS #Newark #Philadephia
40 seconds ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[jimbo123]

It would probably cost a few hundred dollars to ship a toner cartridge from Yemen to Chicago by air.

[Pete]

ComancheJoe PB
Suspicious package found on UPS plane in London. Tests for explosives was negative. #ups
44 seconds ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Pete]

kinaton DJ Jason Sensation
Breaking News: All #ups planes are being checked!
from Brighton and Hove, Brighton and Hove
1 minute ago Favorite Retweet Reply

[Kartographer]

“It would probably cost a few hundred dollars to ship a toner cartridge from Yemen to Chicago by air.”

But it was worth every penny because it was ‘green toner. ;-)

[Pete]

It would probably cost a few hundred dollars to ship a toner cartridge from Yemen to Chicago by air.

That is a GREAT point, which I haven't seen made anywhere. Makes absolutely no sense if it was just an off the shelf cartridge. Maybe it was a specialty or such.

[r9etb]

U.K. officials discovered that a toner cartridge on the plane had been manipulated and found wires attached to it and white powder. Tests on the device came back negative for explosives

I'd wager that tests will come back positive for heroin, though....

[no-to-illegals]

wouldn’t be the first time....I agree with your assessment

[blackdog]

You don't need expolsives for a toner bomb. Toner is micro-milled carbon black and low temp thermo-melting plastic, with a little wax thrown in for measure. Another type of toner is monocomponent toner, which has an iron ferrite core, encased in the same toner as above. One is a dual component and the other is mono.

Dual component toner makes a really great explosion when a secondary igniter is fired off. What you are really creating is a dust explosion. One to disperse the toner and a second to ignite the toner cloud.

I used to be a copier repair guy decades ago.

[95B30]

Interesting timing!?!

[jdietz]

First I am NOT a conspiracy nut.

However, with the mid-term elections going so bad for the administration.

Can we say martial law? And postpone the elections?

Where would the military stand on this?

[Pete]

Newark Airport Given All Clear After Reports of Suspicious Packages

[Centurion2000]

Toner bomb = baby grain silo explosion.

[blackdog]

Hopefully they’d be standing directly behind their commander and chief..................

[TSgt]

First I am NOT a conspiracy nut.

Then the following are automatically invalidated:

However, with the mid-term elections going so bad for the administration. Can we say martial law? And postpone the elections? Where would the military stand on this?

[Kartographer]

Imagine what happens if the bomb squad blows up a package only to find out all it contained was Qurans!!!

[Centurion2000]

Can we say martial law? And postpone the elections?

No freaking way ... even in the middle of the Civil War elections were still being held with regularity (not counting military votes in Maryland)

Where would the military stand on this?

They absolutely would not stand for it.

[Pete]

CNN reporting that previous packages on similar routes have been tracked which were believed to be “trial runs”