According to an Israel Ports Authority official, a 50-year-old Israeli citizen was arrested overnight at Newark airport in New Jersey after he caused alarm during a security check.

The individual is involved in security related fields and was traveled to attend a training conference in Panama City, Florida.

After landing in Newark, during the course of hand luggage security check prior to boarding his connecting flight, an item was detected on x-ray that appeared to be an electric circuit. It was determined to be a suspicious object, setting off an alert protocol. The item was the size of a pack of cigarettes.

According to the media report quoted by the spokesman, the item was related to the man’s official business. The spokesman said the item was actually a non-functioning prototype item and did not constitute any risk, but due to the precautions customary in the United States, the security authorities arrested the passenger.

The director of Ben-Gurion Airport instructed the security division to contact the American authorities for the details of the investigation.

The Israel Airports Authority reminds passengers to check their baggage carefully and not leave items resembling weapons or explosives in the hand luggage.

(YWN Israel Desk – Jerusalem)