Officials wondering if shipments were a dry run for terrorists.
View full sizeA United Parcel Service jet is seen isolated on a runway at Philadelphia International Airport in Philadelphia, Friday. Law enforcement officials are investigating reports of suspicious packages on cargo planes in Philadelphia and Newark, N.J.WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says President Barack Obama was notified about a potential terrorist threat after suspicious packages were discovered aboard two airplanes bound for the U.S.
No explosives have been found. A U.S. official says authorities are investigating whether the packages may be a dry run for a plot to send bombs through the mail.
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 three planes and a truck in the United States on Friday.
Searches were conducted in Philadelphia, Newark, N.J., and New York City. All the packages believed to be suspicious came from Yemen and were being sent via UPS.
Yemen is the home of the al-Qaida branch that claimed responsibility for an attempted bombing of a U.S.-bound airliner on Christmas.
Meanwhile, developments Friday did not alter air traffic in Syracuse.
"It has not impacted operations in Syracuse," said Christine Reale, spokeswoman for Syracuse Hancock International Airport.
Airport security and the local TSA are continuing to monitor the situation, Reale said.
"We are not seeing any cancellations or delays to the cities that are experiencing the searches," Reale said.
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