Feds warn security screeners of possible terrorist “dry runs”

News organizations have obtained copies of a warning sent out by the Transportation Security Administration to airport security screeners, advising them to be on the lookout for simulated bomb-making materials in checked or carry-on luggage after several suspicious findings in recent months. TSA speculated the incidents could be test runs for slipping such devices onto an aircraft. When the memo leaked out, TSA immediately said it had no evidence of a “specific or credible threat,” and played down the warning by saying it issues these things all the time. Examples of things found in passengers’ luggage recently: A plastic bag containing a block of processed cheese (which has a consistency similar to explosive material) taped to another bag with a cell phone charger; two ice packs filled with clay, covered with duct tape; and a carry-on bag that contained two blocks of cheese, wire coil, batteries and an electrical switch. The FBI said all the incidents were investigated and no links to terrorism were found.