Following the discovery of an apparent `channa’ bomb at the Timehri airport last evening, the Cheddi Jagan International Airport Corporation (CJIAC) today said that the bottle did not pose any safety or security risk to the facility or staff and passengers.
The CJIAC issued the following statement this afternoon “On the evening of Thursday, May 5, 2011, an alert airport staffer discovered a bottle containing what appeared to be suspicious contents. The said bottle was subsequently removed from the premises by members of the Guyana Police Force who are currently pursuing investigations.
“The location and condition of the receptacle did not pose any safety or security risk to the facility or passengers and staff.
“Management of the Cheddi Jagan International Airport along with members of the Guyana Police Force and other Law Enforcement Agencies are maintaining the comprehensive level of safety and security surveillance at the airport.”
The statement did not disclose the contents of the bottle.
Meanwhile, Police grilled several of the cleaning staff as they continued to investigate how the ‘channa bomb’ ended up in a washroom of the airport undetected.
A source said that there was no attempt to light the explosive device and from all appearances, the perpetrator left it there with the intention of returning.
According to the source there are surveillance cameras in the general area, some of which focus on the washroom in the immigration area where the device was found. However, no suspicious movements were captured. Sources say that particular toilet is located just before entry to the departure area and is used by immigration officers and other personnel. Sources say that when strip-searching occurs at the airport it would also take place in that toilet.
The shocking discovery was made by a GRA employee who had gone to relieve himself around 20.50 hours yesterday.
One source said that the discovery raises questions about the level of security at the facility and also what was the intention of the person who left it there.
