A fire at a DHL warehouse thought to be caused by incendiary device could be a sign Russia is looking to create havoc in the UK, an expert has warned.
Counter-terrorism police are currently probing Moscow‘s involvement in the terrifying incident at a DHL centre in Minworth, Birmingham on July 22.
Russian spies are thought to have hidden an incendiary device inside a parcel that was loaded onto a plane headed for Britain.
It then burst into flames at the warehouse just hours later.
While no one was injured in the blaze, German authorities warned this week the plane could have been downed if it had ignited mid-flight.
Now, Brandon Fried, executive director of the Airforwarders Association that represents the air freight industry in the US, has warned of the consequences of Russian involvement.
Counter-terrorism police are investigating whether Russia was behind an incendiary device that burst into flames at this DHL centre in Minworth, Birmingham
Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks at the Security Council meeting on nuclear deterrence at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on September 25
Another suspect package exploded in a DHL logistics centre in Leipzig before it could be loaded onto an aircraft (file photo)
He told The Guardian: ‘It looks like the goal is to simply disrupt the supply chain, create havoc and simply scare people.
‘They want people to lose confidence in the system.’
The revelation comes just a day after German intelligence warned a similar incident in Leipzig, also in late-July, came close to causing a fatal plane crash.
Thomas Haldenwang, head of Germany’s intelligence service, said on Tuesday that a disaster was narrowly averted after a parcel ignited on the ground at the DHL logistics centre in Leipzig rather than mid-air.
The plane had been delayed, with experts warning there could have been a very different outcome had it taken off on time.
It remains unclear who the parcel was sent to or the culprit behind the attack, though security services are working on the basis that Putin’s agents were involved in the near-crash.
Kremlin aggression is ‘putting people’s lives at risk’ as well as affecting ‘all areas of our free society’, Mr Haldenwang said.
The suspect package is believed to have been sent from Lithuania, before it exploded at the logistics centre, setting an entire freight container alight.
Thomas Haldenwang, head of Germany ‘s intelligence service, said on Tuesday that a disaster was narrowly averted after a parcel ignited on the ground at the DHL logistics centre in Leipzig rather than mid-air as intended
Last month, DHL said it had ‘taken measures’ in light of the incidents in the UK and Germany.
A DHL spokesperson said: ‘In response to ongoing investigations by authorities in several countries, DHL Express has taken measures in all European countries to protect its network, its employees and facilities, as well as its customers’ shipments.
‘We are aware of two recent incidents affecting shipments in our network.’
In regards to the incident in Birmingham, a Metropolitan police counter-terrorism spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We can confirm that officers from counter-terrorism policing are investigating an incident at a commercial premises in Midpoint Way, Minworth.
‘On Monday 22 July, a package at the location caught alight. It was dealt with by staff and the local fire brigade at the time and there were no reports of any injuries or significant damage caused.’
‘Due to the circumstances, and the specialist capability and expertise in investigating such matters, the investigation is being led by officers from the Met’s Counter Terrorism Command with support from colleagues from Counter Terrorism Policing West Midlands.
‘The investigation remains ongoing and there have been no arrests in our investigation at this time.
‘As part of our enquiries, officers are liaising with other European law enforcement partners to identify whether this may or may not be connected to any other similar-type incidents across Europe.’
