Ukrainian aircraft carrying explosives triggers alert en route to Libya: temporary detention

A Ukrainian aircraft carrying explosives and heading to Libya was temporarily detained in Trinidad and Tobago before being allowed to depart.

The aircraft, arriving from the Bahamas, landed on Thursday at Piarco International Airport in Port of Spain to refuel and was scheduled to continue its journey to Libya via Cape Verde, which raised suspicions among police authorities.

A statement issued by airport authorities said that “upon arrival of the aircraft, immigration officers discovered that it was carrying undeclared explosives, in violation of international protocols.”

The statement added: “As a result, the aircraft and its Ukrainian crew were detained pending investigations by national and international security agencies,” noting that “after extensive searches, clearance was granted for the aircraft and its crew to leave Trinidad and Tobago.”

Trinidad and Tobago, a small English-speaking archipelago located about ten kilometres off the Venezuelan coast, is known for its carnival and beaches, but also for being a hub for drug trafficking.

Since 2021, a state of emergency has been declared four times in the country due to crime.