Air Jamaica bomb scare a hoax

The bomb scare that led to a US 72-hour ban on cargo from Jamaica may turn out to be a hoax.

KINGSTON, Jamaica, – A probe into a bomb scare that led to a 72-hour ban on cargo flights to the United States this week has revealed that it may have been a hoax.
The update was provided in Parliament yesterday by Minister of Transport Mike Henry who said that was the initial finding, but a full probe is still underway.
“Preliminary investigations conducted by the National Intelligence Bureau suggest that the report is a hoax, maliciously created to defame an employee of an airport concessionaire,” he said.
“Investigations are continuing to confirm, beyond a doubt, the preliminary findings as well as apprehending those who may be responsible for this disruption to international civil aviation...At the same time, care is being taken to review our security protocols to ensure the maximum safety of aircraft and passengers using our airports.”

Over the weekend, passengers on board an Air Jamaica flight were prevented from disembarking the plane when it landed at the Hollywood International Airport in Fort Lauderdale, because of a threat that an explosive device was on board.
The United States Transport Security Administration (TSA) subsequently instituted a temporary ban on cargo flights from Jamaica. That ban has since been lifted.
Radio Jamaica has reported that several people, including a woman and a police constable, were detained yesterday as a result of investigations into the threat and could be charged with creating public mischief.