A bomb was found in a checked piece of luggage at Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley International Airport. The passenger connected with the baggage, Mark Muffley, is now in custody. An FBI agent has testified, according to court documents, that Muffley confirmed he was aware he had the explosive in his bag.
I'm so glad they got this guy. He had a bomb plus other explosives in a bag. Good job @TSA.
Explosive found in checked luggage at Pennsylvania airport, man in custody – ABC News via @ABC – https://t.co/Fy2tX14yFq
— Mo Ray (@mo2dmax) March 1, 2023
Muffley is 40 years old and from Lansford, Pennsylvania. He was scheduled to take a flight from eastern Pennsylvania to Orlando, Florida.
The explosive device in Muffley’s luggage was hidden in the bag’s lining, according to the criminal complaint against Mark. Muffley, the device was identified as a circular compound, about 3 inches in diameter, that had two fuses and powder concealed in wax paper and plastic wrap.
The “powder is suspected to be a mixture of flash powder and the dark granulars that are used in commercial grade fireworks,” the complaint explained. “The black powder and flash powder are susceptible to ignite from heat and friction and posed a significant risk to the aircraft and passengers.”
The immediate area of the airport was evacuated and the TSA notified the Lehigh Northampton Airport Authority Police Department who then contacted the FBI. Multiple FBI agents, including a bomb technician, then examined the device. https://t.co/ZL0J5tcJ46
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The bag also had “a can of butane, a lighter, a pipe with white powder residue, a wireless drill with cordless batteries, and two GFCI outlets taped together with black tape,” according to the complaint.
The homemade bomb was detected during “routine screening” at check-in. The suitcase triggered an alarm when it entered the baggage screening unit, the Transportation Security Administration said in a statement. The TSA officer “located an item inside the suitcase that appeared to be suspicious and was believed to be a live explosive device possibly,” the agency said.
An airport spokesperson said the suspicious package was discovered shortly after 11 a.m. Monday. At the time of discovery, the west side of the airport’s main terminal was shut down.
FBI: Man tried to smuggle bomb onto a passenger plane at Pennsylvania's Lehigh Valley International Airport.
The suspect is in custody.pic.twitter.com/UNLKUGBqfy
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Muffley was paged over the airport’s public system to come to the security desk. However, five minutes later, security cameras showed Muffley leaving the airport. Muffley was arrested at his home Monday night, the FBI said.
