The police chief for San Diego Harbor says the airport "terror" cited at San Diego's airport was the result of four ice packs found in a woman's luggage.
Airport security officers around the nation have been alerted by federal officials to look out for terrorists practicing to carry explosive components onto aircraft.
Chief Kirk Sanfilippo says on July 5, a woman in her late 60s checked luggage that contained the ice packs wrapped in clear tape to prevent gel from leaking. He says there was no clay inside, as the TSA reported.
After brief questioning, the woman, a U.S. citizen, was released and caught a later flight. At the woman's request, authorities threw away the ice packs. There were no arrests, and police immediately determined there was no need for further investigation.
Sanfilippo says the ice packs were ten- to 15 years old, which caused the plastic cases to turn brittle. He says the woman had a legitimate medical condition for carrying the ice packs.
