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Man with smoke grenade arrested at Los Angeles airport Man with smoke grenade arrested at Los Angeles airport
(4 months later)
A man wearing a bulletproof vest and fire-resistant trousers was arrested at Los Angeles international airport after a smoke grenade, gas mask, leg irons and weapons were discovered in his luggage, US authorities have said.A man wearing a bulletproof vest and fire-resistant trousers was arrested at Los Angeles international airport after a smoke grenade, gas mask, leg irons and weapons were discovered in his luggage, US authorities have said.
Boston-bound Yongda Huang Harris, 28, was arrested on Friday on suspicion of transporting hazardous materials on a flight from Japan, according to immigration and customs officials.Boston-bound Yongda Huang Harris, 28, was arrested on Friday on suspicion of transporting hazardous materials on a flight from Japan, according to immigration and customs officials.
Harris was not co-operating with federal officials attempting to interview him, according to a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity. Harris was not believed linked to a terrorist organisation but his motive had not been determined.Harris was not co-operating with federal officials attempting to interview him, according to a US official who spoke on condition of anonymity. Harris was not believed linked to a terrorist organisation but his motive had not been determined.
Harris was a US citizen whose permanent residence was in Boston and he recently started living and working in Japan, officials said.Harris was a US citizen whose permanent residence was in Boston and he recently started living and working in Japan, officials said.
He has been charged with one count of transporting hazardous materials, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Harris made a brief court appearance on Tuesday and his detention hearing was postponed to Friday.He has been charged with one count of transporting hazardous materials, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Harris made a brief court appearance on Tuesday and his detention hearing was postponed to Friday.
Harris aroused suspicion when customs officers at the airport noticed he was wearing the bulletproof vest and fire-resistant trousers under his trenchcoat. That triggered a formal investigation by homeland security agents.Harris aroused suspicion when customs officers at the airport noticed he was wearing the bulletproof vest and fire-resistant trousers under his trenchcoat. That triggered a formal investigation by homeland security agents.
During a search of Harris's checked luggage, numerous suspicious items were uncovered, including knives, body bags, hatchet, collapsible baton, biohazard suit, full-face respirator, billy clubs, respirator, handcuffs, leg irons and a device to repel dogs, authorities said.During a search of Harris's checked luggage, numerous suspicious items were uncovered, including knives, body bags, hatchet, collapsible baton, biohazard suit, full-face respirator, billy clubs, respirator, handcuffs, leg irons and a device to repel dogs, authorities said.
The smoke grenade was subsequently X-rayed by the Los Angeles police department's bomb squad. Officers said the device fell into a category prohibited on board passenger aircraft by the United Nations.The smoke grenade was subsequently X-rayed by the Los Angeles police department's bomb squad. Officers said the device fell into a category prohibited on board passenger aircraft by the United Nations.
"Depending on the conditions when it is ignited, the smoke grenade  … could potentially fill the cabin of a commercial airplane with smoke or cause a fire," federal officials said in a news release."Depending on the conditions when it is ignited, the smoke grenade  … could potentially fill the cabin of a commercial airplane with smoke or cause a fire," federal officials said in a news release.
Many of the other items – including the hatchet and knives – would not violate guidelines for what is permissible in checked luggage but may be illegal under California law, according to an affidavit filed in the US district court.Many of the other items – including the hatchet and knives – would not violate guidelines for what is permissible in checked luggage but may be illegal under California law, according to an affidavit filed in the US district court.
Harris travelled from Kansai, Japan, to Inchon, South Korea, before landing in Los Angeles.Harris travelled from Kansai, Japan, to Inchon, South Korea, before landing in Los Angeles.
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