Pennsylvania resident detained for attempting to smuggle explosives aboard plane

A Lansford, Pennsylvania, resident was detained by FBI agents after unsuccessfully attempting to bring an improvised explosive device (IED) aboard a plane at Lehigh Valley International Airport in the suburb of Allentown.

The IED was discovered behind the lining of 40-year-old Mark Muffley’s suitcase by airport security personnel. An FBI explosives technician called in determined that the suspicious bundle contained a powder that looked like a mixture of gunpowder and fireworks flammables. The explosive device had a fuse attached to it, which resembled beakford cord. The suitcase also contained “a can of butane, a lighter, a cordless drill and two sockets held together with black duct tape.

The alleged explosive device posed a significant risk to the airliner and passengers.

The Allegiant Air plane was scheduled to leave for Orlando (Fla.) International Airport.

As soon as Muffley’s name was announced in the terminal on speakerphone asking him to come to the check-in counter, he left the airport building. Later that evening, FBI officers detained him at Lansford. He was charged with “attempting to conduct an explosive or incendiary device aboard an airplane.”

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