"FBI: Ohio airport alarm, raid linked"

Friday, February 14, 2003

FBI: Airport alarm, raid linked


COLUMBUS (AP) -- An FBI investigation of an alarm at Port Columbus
International Airport and a raid of an African market were linked,
officials said. 

Federal agents questioned a man Tuesday after his bag set off a machine
designed to detect explosive material at the airport. 

Authorities said that grain the man had purchased at the Berekum African
Market on the city's north side set off the alarm. 

Wednesday night, about 20 FBI agents searched the store for four hours
after obtaining a federal court order, which has been sealed. The FBI
has refused to comment on the court order. 

Kwabena Yeboah, who owns the store, said he was shocked after employees
told him that FBI agents were searching the store. 

"I know that I am 100 percent innocent of whatever the FBI is looking
for," Yeboah said. 

He said he doesn't sell anything illegal and that the FBI apologized,
taking only some receipts. 

Port Columbus spokeswoman Angie Neal said a man was questioned for
several hours by federal agents and was cooperative. He eventually was
allowed to depart. 

"He wouldn't have been allowed to fly to his next destination if there
was any grave concern," Neal said. 

Billy Agyeman, who owns a similar store on the city's east side, said he
has been doing business with Yeboah for about a year. 

"I don't understand. The FBI is the highest investigative team here,"
Agyeman said. 

"This guy hasn't done anything wrong. We sell food. We don't sell bombs
or anything used for bombs."


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