How come I didn’t see this in the papers:
On 16 May, authorities in Trinidad and Tobago detained a Ukrainian aircraft carrying explosives en route to Libya before later authorising its departure.
Arms shipments raise concern after tanks spotted and aircraft halted
Authorities in Trinidad and Tobago briefly detained a Ukrainian-operated CVK-708 cargo aircraft bound for Libya after undeclared explosive materials were discovered during a technical stop and refuelling operation on 14 May, according to regional media reports. The aircraft, which had reportedly originated in the Bahamas before transiting through the Caribbean, was inspected by immigration officials during its stopover in Trinidad.
During the inspection, authorities allegedly discovered explosive materials that had not been declared in the aircraft’s shipment documentation, prompting an immediate multi-agency investigation involving customs officials, police, the Special Investigations Unit, and other national security bodies.
Following preliminary investigations, authorities reportedly concluded that neither the pilot nor the crew were directly responsible for the undeclared materials and subsequently allowed the aircraft to continue its onward journey to Libya.
The incident is likely to draw increased attention due to the heightened scrutiny surrounding Libya-bound cargo flights and longstanding international concerns regarding arms transfers, dual-use goods, and sanctions enforcement linked to the country. While authorities reportedly determined that the crew had no direct involvement, the discovery of undeclared explosives is expected to reinforce concerns among regional and international aviation authorities over cargo oversight, documentation compliance, and monitoring procedures for flights connected to Libya.
- from a security report
