A freshly-made ‘channa bomb’ was on Thursday night found in a male washroom near the immigration section at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport, Timehri (CJIA), triggering security concerns.
Stabroek News was told that up to late yesterday afternoon several cleaners and other employees were being grilled about the find, even as the airport maintained that the presence of the device did not pose a safety or security risk.
In a brief press release yesterday afternoon, the CJIA said that it was an alert airport staffer who discovered a bottle containing “what appeared to be suspicious contents.” The release did not reveal what the suspicious contents were or where the bottle was found.
The bottle, the release said, was subsequently removed from the premises by the police, who are currently conducting investigations.
“The location and condition of the receptacle did not pose any safety or security risk to the facility or passengers and staff,” it said. Further, the CJIA added that it along with the police and other law enforcement agencies are maintaining “the comprehensive level of safety and security surveillance at the airport.”
Meanwhile, a source told this newspaper that the shocking discovery was made by a GRA employee who had gone to relieve himself around 8:50pm.
The source explained that what appears to be gasoline was in a medium- sized R1 vodka bottle and channa could be seen at the bottom. There was no evidence of attempts to light the explosive device before the discovery, the source added, saying that from all appearances the perpetrator left it there with the intention of returning.
That the device could be assembled in a secure area with a likely flammable fluid in it would raise serious security concerns in the relevant agencies here and abroad.
According to the source, there are surveillance cameras in the general area, some of which focus on the washroom where the device was found. However, no suspicious movements were captured.
Sources say that the particular toilet where the discovery was made 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 the toilet.
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. Had it been lit, the source opined, extensive damage could have been done to the facility and persons in that area at the time could have been seriously injured.
Stabroek News was told that shortly after the discovery, cleaners responsible for that section of the facility were interrogated but it is unclear if they were able to provide investigators with vital information.
Flights and general operations at the airport were not interrupted as a result of the discovery.
When contact was made with Ramesh Ghir, the CEO of CJIA, he said that he could not comment and that a press release was being prepared. He indicated that this newspaper could later contact him if any clarifications or additional information were needed. Despite numerous efforts, Stabroek News was unable to subsequently contact Ghir. Transport Minster Robeson Benn was also unavailable.
