Toner Cartridges Confiscated in Possible Dry Run Bombing Plot

By Chuck Sudo in News on Oct 29, 2010 6:40PM

British transportation security officials found two suspicious packages, one a tampered toner cartridge with wires and white powder during a inspection. The packages were headed for synagogues in Chicago.

Authorities speaking on condition of anonymity suspect that the packages were intended to be a dry run for a bomb; the suspicious package tested negative for explosives. The discovery prompted searches of planes in Philadelphia and Newark, and a truck in New York City.

4:15 p.m. Update: President Obama addressed the incident this afternoon, calling it a "credible terrorist threat against our country." Officials said that they are confident the packages originated from Yemen's al-Qaida branch and have been monitoring the situation for days.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Chicago has advised synagogues to be on alert after receiving the news, and Chicago police are making checks into synagogues in West Rogers Park, Hyde Park (where one is located across the street from the Obama homestead) and other neighborhoods.

Another package intercepted in Dubai, UAE is said to have contained explosive materials but stressed that these were not actual bombs.