A surprising new alert has been issued to airlines regarding toothpaste.
CNN reported that authorities in the United States have issued an alert warning travelers that terrorists are planning to disrupt the Olympic Games in Sochi, Russia. They could be using explosive materials secretly hidden in toothpaste or cosmetic tubes.
Congressman Michael McCaul, who chairs the Homeland Security Committee, said the threat is to airlines that have direct flights to Russia, including a few that originate in the United States, and foreign countries such as Europe and Asian countries
McCaul reportedly believes that the toothpaste explosives might be smuggled onto a plane and used during a flight to Russia or during the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympic games, which are scheduled to begin on Thursday. The opening ceremony is Friday.
However, a source told CNN that the warning was fairly new and that government officials were not aware of any "specific threat."
"It's real. It's real and we got very good information," an anonymous government source told CNN Wednesday. "It's based on a credible source. We're taking it seriously so are other countries taking it very seriously."
The alert was reportedly issued by Homeland Security "out of an abundance of caution."
"While we are not aware of a specific threat to the homeland at this time, this routine communication is an important part of our commitment to making sure we meet that priority," a federal security official told ABC News. "As always, our security apparatus includes a number of measures, both seen and unseen, and DHS will continue to adjust security measures to fit an ever evolving threat environment."
Russia banned all liquids of any size on Sochi-bound flights last month. Anything containing liquid, no matter how small an amount, must be in checked luggage. There have been no reports on if the US Dept. of Homeland Security is planning to take action against the supposed threats.
Rep. Peter King, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee's subcommittee on Terrorism and Intelligence, told CNN that American spectators to the Sochi Olympics would be "safe" but Americans should also take the toothpaste threat "very seriously."
"We are getting some information about what's happening outside of Russia, some external threats, that type thing, or potential threats. I don't want to overstate that," he said.
King added: "Just as a spectator, I don't think it's worth the risk. I mean, odds are nothing is going to happen, but the odds are higher than for any other Olympics, I believe, that something could happen."
