Bomb Squad Investigates Cargo Area at San Diego International Airport

Investigators with the Metro Arson Strike Team (MAST) were called out to Lindbergh Field to inspect a couple of potentially suspicious packages at a cargo facility at the airport

The San Diego Fire-Rescue Department’s (SDFD) bomb squad was called to a cargo terminal at the San Diego International Airport Wednesday after a K-9 officer alerted to some suspicious packages at the facility.

The Harbor Police Department and fire department's Metro Arson Strike Team (MAST) launched an investigation at the southwest cargo area at Lindbergh Field around 9:10 a.m. Bomb squad officers could be seen moving in and out of the area throughout the morning.

MAST Capt. John Wood soon confirmed the packages under investigation posed no threat.

No flights were delayed or cancelled, and airport operations, including ground traffic in the area, continued as normal amid the investigation. Again, there was no threat to travelers.

“It turned out to be nothing. With K-9s, they just have such a sensitive sense of smell. Anything that could’ve been on there – [maybe] from somebody’s hand – could’ve been on the box," Capt. Wood told NBC 7.

"It’s a really great safe measure for us as first responders, and for the public, that we have these K-9s and that we used them appropriately,” he added.

Capt. Wood said the items inspected by the bomb squad were Christmas packages. Hence the busy holiday mailing season, Capt. Wood said his team often gets these types of calls.

Investigators found some type of residue on the packages, which is another reason why the bomb squad was called out to further inspect the cargo, the captain said.

“You can’t be too careful. Just like we like to tell the public, ‘If you see something, say something,’ and that’s what we abide by,” he explained.

 

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