Toothpaste alert issued to airlines serving Russia

A toothpaste alert has been issued by the United States to airlines with flights serving Russia, to be aware of the possibility of smuggling explosive materials hidden in toothpaste and other cosmetic tubes.


The alert was prompted by the U.S. law enforcement and homeland security to make the airlines aware that bombs and other explosives tucked inside small tubes such as toothpaste and other materials might be used during flights or brought into the city of Sochi, where the Winter Olympics will be happening, starting Thursday.

The U.S. intelligence and other related officials are worried that al Qaeda-linked groups might take advantage of the attention directed towards the Russian militant groups.

The toothpaste alert is focused mainly on flights from Europe and neighboring Asian countries.