On the eve of the Sochi Olympics, the United States on Thursday issued security warnings that toothpaste tubes could be used to smuggle bombs on planes headed to Russia.
Putting airlines on alert for “toothpaste bombs”, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also raised the possibility of explosive materials being concealed in cosmetic tubes. The DHS did not say what precisely triggered the warning. “While we are not aware of a specific threat to the homeland at this time, this routine communication is an important part of our commitment to making sure we meet that priority,” an American official told ABC News.
“As always, our security apparatus includes a number of measures, both seen and unseen, and DHS will continue to adjust security measures to fit an ever evolving threat environment,” the official said. CNN quoted a US law enforcement official as saying that the cause for the homeland security alert was specific to the start of the Winter Games in Sochi on Friday.
While stating that the US authorities are increasingly confident about the safety of the Olympic venues, the source reported pointed to “increasing chatter” being picked up by US intelligence that caused worry about targets outside the Sochi area, including regional transportation links.
“The biggest ongoing worry outside this new concern — as expected — is groups based in southern Russia's Caucasus region, in particular the restive Dagestan republic,” the network reported, adding US officials were also worried that al Qaeda-linked groups from elsewhere could take advantage of the attention being focused on Russian militant groups.