The Associated Press
EDMONTON, Canada (CP) -- The weekend seizure of two pipe bombs at Edmonton International Airport marked the first time such a device has been detected at a Canadian airport since new security restrictions came into effect after Sept. 11, says a Transport Canada official.
Renee Fairweather, spokeswoman for the Canadian Air Transit Security Authority, which is part of Transport Canada, said the seizure shows the security measures are working.
RCMP seized more than 100 firecrackers and two 7 1/2-centimetre pipe bombs Saturday after security screening officers uncovered the items in a piece of carry-on luggage as a woman was about to board a WestJet flight to Vancouver .
After terrorism was ruled out, police released the woman, saying she didn’t appear to have intentions to harm anyone.
Joycelyn Anne Reily, 22, of Surrey, B.C., was charged with possession of an explosive substance. She is scheduled to appear Thursday in Leduc provincial court.
RCMP Const. Al Fraser said the woman was not detained in custody “because you can only hold people on certain grounds.
“Normally, we look at an incident like this and we (evaluate) whether there is another opportunity for the incident to occur,” he said.
Police decided she was no longer dangerous once they seized the explosives.
Fraser also said police have no plans to release further information outside of court regarding the makeup of two bombs.
However, Staff Sgt. Jeff Anderson, a member of Edmonton police department’s explosives disposal unit, said the alleged contents of the woman’s carry-on had the potential to do serious damage. (Edmonton Journal)