U.S. bans toner and ink cartridges on passenger planes, extends air cargo ban to Somalia

[News_Editor]

U.S. bans toner and ink cartridges on passenger planes, extends air cargo ban to Somalia

2010-11-09 12:48:02 GMT+7 (ICT)

WASHINGTON, D.C. (BNO NEWS) -- The United States on Monday announced an immediate ban on toner and ink cartridges over 16 ounces (453 grams) on passenger aircraft, while extending a Yemeni air cargo ban to Somalia.

The new security measures were announced by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in wake of a failed al-Qaeda plot to bomb two U.S.-bound cargo planes.

"Following the thwarted terrorist plot last week to conceal and ship explosive devices on board aircraft bound for the U.S., the Administration took a number of immediate steps to increase security by tightening existing measures related to cargo bound for the United States," said Janet Napolitano, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security. "Some of the steps that have been taken by the Department of Homeland Security included adapting inbound cargo targeting rules to reflect the latest intelligence and ordering a ground halt on all cargo coming from Yemen."

In addition, Napolitano said, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John Pistole and a team of TSA inspectors visited Yemen to meet with government security officials and to assist in enhancing Yemen's security procedures, which the U.S. deems necessary to eventually lift the ground halt on cargo.

"Late last week, TSA directed industry carriers to begin implementing additional precautionary security measures for international flights inbound to the United States. These measures take effect today," Napolitano said. "Specifically, the ban on air cargo from Yemen will continue and has been extended to all air cargo from Somalia as well."

In addition, no cargo deemed 'high risk' will be allowed on passenger aircraft. Toner and ink cartridges over 16 ounces (453 grams) will be prohibited on passenger aircraft in both carry-on bags and checked bags on domestic and international flights in-bound to the United States.

"This ban will also apply to certain inbound international air cargo shipments as well," she added. "Further, all cargo identified as high risk will go through additional and enhanced screening. These measures also impact inbound international mail packages, which must be screened individually and certified to have come from an established postal shipper."

Napolitano said the U.S. administration is working closely with industry international partners to expedite the receipt of cargo manifests for international flights to the United States prior to departure in order to identify and screen items based on risk and current intelligence. "We are also working with our international and private sector partners on the expansion of layered detections system including technology and other measures," she added.

On October 29, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula attempted to bomb two U.S.-bound cargo planes by sending plastic explosives via mail from Yemen. The bombs, one discovered in Dubai and the other in England, were defused minutes before they were timed to explode.

"The threats of terrorism we face are serious and evolving, and these security measures reflect our commitment to using current intelligence to stay ahead of adversaries - working closely with our international, federal, state, local and private sector partners every step of the way," Napolitano added. "We encourage our partners, as well as our citizens, to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement authorities."

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