Suspicious package at company near Tampa International Airport investigated

TAMPA — Authorities evacuated an air cargo company near Tampa International Airport early Wednesday to investigate a suspicious package that turned out to contain a medical device, a fire rescue spokesman said.

Crews from multiple agencies responded about 6:30 a.m. to Air General, 4662 Air Cargo Road, after an employee doing routine X-ray scans of packages spotted something suspicious, said Jason Penny, a spokesman for Tampa Fire Rescue. The company notified authorities and evacuated the building while investigators worked at the scene.

Tampa Fire’s hazardous materials team and Tampa Police Department’s bomb squad responded along with U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Tampa International Airport Police, Penny said. By 10 a.m., investigators confirmed the package contained a medical device.

Air Cargo Road, a north-south thoroughfare on the east side of the airport, remained open and operations at the airport were not affected, Penny said.

Property records show the parcel is owned by the Hillsborough Aviation Authority. Air General is a national air cargo handling company with 32 locations in the United States, according to the company’s website, and leases the building.