Wed, Nov 10, 2010
Air Cargo From Yemen, Somalia Banned. No 'High-Risk' Cargo On
Passenger Flights
The Department of Homeland Security appears to be attempting
to clamp down on what it considers "high risk" cargo on
airplanes following the exposure of a terrorist plot last week to
conceal and ship explosive devices on board aircraft bound for the
U.S.
In a statement released Monday, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano
(pictured) said some of the immediate steps that have been taken
include adapting inbound cargo targeting rules to reflect the
latest intelligence and ordering a ground halt on all cargo coming
from Yemen. In addition, she said TSA Administrator John S. Pistole
and a team of TSA inspectors have visited Yemen to meet with
government security officials and to assist in enhancing
Yemen’s security procedures, which are 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," Napolitano
said. "These measures take effect today (Monday). 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 high risk cargo
will be allowed on passenger aircraft. Toner and ink cartridges
over 16 ounces 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. 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 Administration is also working closely with
industry and our 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 said.
The secretary reiterated that the safety and security of the
American public is the agency's highest priority. "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. 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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