Attributable to Detective Sergeant John MacDade:
A Dunedin man was arrested today in relation to a fake improvised explosive device found at Dunedin Airport earlier this year.
The airport was closed for a time on Sunday 17 March due to a suspicious package on the airfield.
The incident caused significant disruption to a large number of members of the public and staff using the airport. One international flight was returned to its Australian departure point, and several domestic flights were diverted as a result.
NZ Defence Force personnel travelled to Dunedin from Christchurch to neutralise the device.
Dunedin Police investigators have worked closely with Aviation Security personnel at the airport, and are grateful for their assistance and advice.
The 31-year-old arrested man is due in Dunedin District Court on Thursday 9 May charged with taking an imitation explosive device into a security enhanced area.
ENDS
Issued by the Police Media Centre