U.S. border patrol releases photo of mock IED after Pearson breach

By News Staff

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released a photo of a mock improvised explosive device (IED) that caused a delay at Pearson International Airport earlier this month.

The CPB tweeted Monday that the discovery of the device was due to great work by officers in Toronto.

“CBP stopped processing while the IED was tested, & conducted a joint inspection of the aircraft, rescreening all travelers & baggage,” the tweet read.

Joseph Galaska, 58, from Cudahy, Wis., was charged with mischief after officials found a mock IED inside his suitcase on April 6. He was a passenger on United Airlines flight 547 from Toronto to O’Hare International Airport in Chicago. He was granted bail. His next court appearance is on April 24.

At the time, U.S. custom officials said the mock IED was discovered during inspection at the pre-clearance facility at Pearson. It has since been tested negative for explosives.

The security issue caused lengthy delays for passengers on board the flight, who said they sat for four hours on the tarmac before being offloaded to an isolation area where they spent an additional several hours.

The Greater Toronto Airports Authority, which oversees the running of the airport, said the incident aboard the United Airlines flight did not impact other airport operations.

With files from The Canadian Press


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