Affidavit: Affidavit: J’ca-bound passenger had more than 700 bullet parts / Explosive device ignites before J'ca-bound flight

Orville Braham, 37, of Stoughton from his Oct. 31, 2010 booking photo.

ORVILLE Andrew Braham – the Jamaica-bound passenger whose bag exploded while it was being unloaded from an American Airlines flight at the Miami International Airport on Tuesday – is alleged to have concealed more than 700 ammunition primers and other parts in another piece of checked luggage.

In the affidavit filed in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Affell Grier said hundreds of .45 calibre ammunition primers were discovered concealed in the lining of one of Braham's checked suitcases.

An ammunition primer is the component of a round of ammunition that initiates the explosive charge which expels a projectile from a firearm.

Grier, who is assigned to the Miami Division Squad T-8 — a counter terrorism squad with the Joint Terrorism Task Force — said the components of a disassembled ammunition reloading press were also concealed in the lining of the suitcase.

"Other components of the ammunition reloading press were found in a zippered compartment and wrapped in items of clothing concealed throughout the suitcase," according to Grier.

An ammunition reloading press is used to assemble component parts, including ammunition primers, to create ammunition.

"When questioned further about the fact that his suitcase did indeed explode, and that ammunition primers appeared to be visible in the suitcase, he continued to deny having anything in the suitcase that could have caused the explosion," according to Grier.

The FBI agent reported that upon further questioning, Braham eventually admitted that he had in the suitcase 700 ammunition primers that he had bought at a gun show last November. He said he reloads ammunition as a hobby.

Braham is alleged to have reported that he had placed the primers and reloading press in a bag and had hidden them in a suitcase in his basement away from his kids.

Grier said Braham claimed further that he did not remember that the items were in his suitcase.

At the time of Braham's questioning, Grier said agents had not yet discovered the second suitcase, which contained concealed additional ammunition primers and components of the ammunition reloading press, and as such he was not questioned about that luggage and its contents.

"Based on the foregoing, your affiant believes probable cause exists that Braham knowingly delivered and caused to be delivered to a common and contract carrier for transportation and shipment in interstate and foreign commerce to a person other than a licensed importer, dealer and collector, ammunition, without notifying that such ammunition was being transported and shipped in violation of Title 18, United Sates Code, Section 922 (e)," the affidavit reads.

On Tuesday, Braham boarded American Airlines flight 2585 in Boston, Massachusetts for Miami, Florida, with a final destination of Kingston.

Grier explained that Braham checked two pieces of luggage while he carried another two pieces on board the plane.

One piece of the checked luggage exploded as an AA baggage handler was unloading the luggage on the tarmac.

The explosion, Grier said, caused shrapnel to be imbedded in the shoe of the baggage handler.

Further examination of Braham's suitcase, according to Grier, revealed that hundreds of .45 calibre ammunition primers contained within the suitcase detonated upon impact, triggering the explosion.

The original nationality of Braham, who has been described as a naturalised American, could not be ascertained yesterday.

FBI Special Agent Michael Leverock said since the investigations were ongoing, he could not say what country Braham was from and what was the intended purpose of his visit to Jamaica.

"We know he is a naturalised US citizen but I can’t say where he is originally from and I can’t say more than what is in the affidavit," he told the Observer.

And, yesterday director general of the Jamaica Civil Aviation Authority, Colonel Oscar Derby confirmed that he had received a report on the incident but that the information would be kept confidential.
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American Airline jets are seen at the Miami International Airport: The man was trying to board an AA flight to Jamaica at the airport when the bag exploded

AN explosive device presumed to be destined for Jamaica, ignited yesterday while being off-loaded from an American Airlines plane, disrupting operations at the heavily trafficked Miami International Airport.

No one was reported injured in the incident, which occurred at 11:30 am but airport authorities shut down four gates, stalling operations for several hours at the usually congested Florida, United States airport.

The device called a primer which is used in firearms, belonged to a naturalised American man who was immediately taken into custody, authorities said.

Media relations manager at the Miami International Airport, Mark Henderson told the Observer that the incident was being investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI).

He confirmed that the airport was forced to shut down operations at four of its gates, impacting four flights. Two of the gates were later reopened.

"The gate where the plane (that) was involved in the incident came in and the one adjacent to that are still closed for now," Henderson said.

There were no major disruptions of the airport's overall operations.

Observer sources said the passenger whose country of origin was not ascertained, had hundreds of primers in his bag. He arrived at Miami from Boston, Massachusetts on an AA flight, with connection to another AA flight to Kingston.

The primer ignited as the bag was being offloaded from the Boston flight by a baggage handler who apparently suffered no injury.

And, last night American Airlines director of corporate communications for Miami, Caribbean, Latin America and US Hispanic, Martha Pantin also confirmed the incident, but declined to give details, saying only that the matter was being dealt with by the Miami Dade Police and the Transportation Security Administration.

The incident made headlines in the US yesterday, with CNN reporting that the 37-year-old passenger, whose name has not been released, had been charged with transportation of hazardous materials. If convicted, he could face a sentence of up to five years.

The 737 jet on which the passenger had travelled from Boston had 148 passengers and a crew of six.

CNN also quoted FBI special agent Michael Leverock as saying that the incident did not appear to be terrorism-related and that it was the movement of the bag across the tarmac that set off the explosion.

When the primers ignited several were said to have hit the bag handler's shoes, but there were no reports of injuries.

The bomb squad was also called in.

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Comment by Kiana on January 3, 2011 at 8:34pm: Maybe you'll change your mind, maybe you won't but I'm not interested in putting down another black woman, not even when I'm clearly being verbally attacked. Do what you do but I hope you decide to highlight what great about you rather than the way you can "get at" some one

Comment by Kiana on January 3, 2011 at 8:31pm: Really Amy I wish you the best. I'm a PhD doctoral candidate since you show some interest in my path. so yes I am working towards helping my community and people like yourself. I am sorry you feel the need to be nasty but as I stated earlier it isnt impossible that some people really just want to share ideas. Why is it so easy for you to be crass to another black woman? Why hate? How is that helping anything? New flash, we get further in life by being a blessing and working together. As long as black men keep dying, going to jail, babies having baies and disease rising specificall in the Black and Latino community, there are issues to address.

Comment by GonDada on January 3, 2011 at 7:56pm: Kiana: Gotch Ya :-)

@Jimmy: Why are u attacking me, I never mentioned you name baby boi! You looking for attention...let me know cuz, I'd more than can accommodate that for you here on this thread! So, If you think you need
to Jump Out Of The Window, Then Go Do So Uncle!

Comment by Kiana on January 3, 2011 at 3:42pm: And if you or Miss Amy think I was rude then, I apologize. But save that intensity to the real issues like politics, education, or the state of our youth...no need to waste energy when it can be used somewhere helpful.

respectfully,

Kiana

Comment by James Anderson on January 3, 2011 at 3:41pm: @ LEXDADA........IF THAT WAS MEANT FOR ME, I CHOOSE TO ENJOY ENLIGHTENING MYSELF AND NOT DEALING WITH FRIVOLOUS.....NON-MEANINGFUL DRIBBLE......SO I WONT WASTE ANOTHER MOMENT OF MY EXISTENCE WITH SOMEONE WHO IS LESS FORTUNATE THAN ME..........FAVOR AINT FAIR AND NOW YOU KNOW WHY!!!!!

Comment by Kiana on January 3, 2011 at 3:40pm: woah... its cool to disagree, healty debate is always welcomed but please dont be rude. I actually enjoy 80% of things you said but there's no need to be nasty. I'm seriuosly not interested in internet battles with anyone especially this particular young lady who is hell bent or being nasty. So when I say God bless to you or anyone else, I seriously mean it, yes I have relationship with God and that allows me to humble myself and bow out gracefully without being mean or harsh to anyone else. So Lexdada catch you on other story I''m sure but I'd appreciate any nasty/slick commnets from you or your friend be directed somehwere else.

Comment by GonDada on January 3, 2011 at 3:28pm: Wow....I See We Have A Aunty Man Screaming And Jumping Out The WindoW.....

Comment by Kiana on January 3, 2011 at 1:47pm: smh......carry on.

Comment by James Anderson on January 3, 2011 at 1:37pm: OMG.........I JUST CAUGHT UP FROM THE HOLIDAYS AND WOW........SO MUCH PAIN BEING SPEWED......I AM A POSITIVE BROTHA AND WOULD PREFER TO DEAL WITH TOPICS SUCH AS THAT.......SO I MUST RELUCTLANTLY REMOVE MYSELF FROM THIS POST AND LOOK FOR MORE POSITIVITY ON ANOTHER POST!!!!!

HAPPY NEW YEARS TO YOU ALL AND MANY BLESSINGS!!!!!!

Comment by GonDada on January 3, 2011 at 1:33pm: @AMY: Its The Folks Who Use God As If They Know Him Personally That Is Personally In Bed W/ The Devil, And Is Always Looking For Recruits! Don't Fall Into These Folks Depth/Web Of Deceit! Happy New You!