Box cutters found on American jets

Last updated at 17:50 17 October 2003


The FBI is investigating the discovery in America of three suspicious bags found aboard two commercial aircraft containing box cutters and at least one note questioning air safety.

Discovery of the bags has led to a government order that all U.S. commercial flights be searched by security personnel within 24 hours, according to a senior law enforcement official.

The items were found in bags aboard two Southwest Air Lines planes that are now on the ground in Houston and New Orleans, officials said. The bags were not found in suitcases or other luggage, but officials declined to provide further description.

In addition to the box cutters, the FBI found bleach and some form of clay. It was not clear if there was more than one note.

The 19 al-Qaeda operatives who hijacked planes and crashed them on Sept. 11, 2001, used box cutters as weapons.

FBI spokeswoman Susan Whitson confirmed the existence of the investigation, which she said is being handled by some of the FBI's 84 joint terrorism task forces and the Department of Homeland Security.

Al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups are believed to have long had an interest in using aircraft as weapons.

The FBI and Homeland Security Department have issued numerous warnings about possible tactics terrorists could use, including use of small carry-on items such as cameras to blow up airplanes.

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