No harmful materials found on board Aeroflot plane detained at Kennedy Airport, officials say

The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - Federal agents met an airliner from Moscow at Kennedy Airport yesterday after receiving a tip that it might have radioactive material on board. A search of the plane turned up a box of furs.

Customs agents had one person in custody, said Steve Coleman, a spokesman for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which oversees the airports. No details on the man were released.

Coleman said Customs officials had received some information about the Aeroflot plane "possibly having radioactive materials on board." The plane was searched after the 176 passengers and 12 crew members were evacuated.

Agents had ordered the plane to keep its distance from the passenger terminals.

Transportation Security Administration spokesman Robert Johnson said it was a false alarm.

"It turns out it was a box full of furs," Johnson said.