Air Marshal Causes International Incident

A U.S. air marshal is under investigation after police in India found ammunition and two handgun magazines hidden in the air conditioning duct of his New Delhi hotel room.
The discovery initially led the Delhi police to detain three Italian businessmen, one of whom had checked into the air marshals' room after he left town. The Italians were detained for several days late last month in what Indian newspapers described as a case of international smuggling. The men were released after authorities connected the equipment to the U.S. air marshal.
Air marshals, who work undercover, carry guns as part of their mission to protect U.S. airlines flying overseas, but are required to check in their weapons before entering a foreign country. When air marshals fly back to the United States, they pass through security like regular passengers and sometimes set off alarms with forgotten equipment.
The Transportation Security Administration "is investigating this incident and working with Indian government officials to ensure that the facts of this incident are thoroughly reviewed," air marshal spokesman Nelson Minerly said in a statement.
15/06/10 Michael Grabell, ProPublica and Pia Malbran,CBS News

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Categories: Airports Jun 2010, Foreign Jun 2010, Safety Jun 2010