Warning reported on toothpaste tubes for Russia-bound flights

Air carriers flying to Winter Olympics host Russia were warned yesterday to watch for toothpaste tubes containing materials that could be turned into a bomb, a U.S. law enforcement official said.

The official declined to elaborate on the intelligence that sparked the warning, which was sent to U.S. and foreign airlines, just two days before the start of the 2014 games in Sochi, Russia.

Security at Sochi is tight in response to threats of terror strikes by Islamic militants. The Black Sea city is just a few hundred miles from the North Caucasus region, where Russia has been battling Islamic insurgents.

The official wasn't authorized to discuss the warning and asked for anonymity. It was reported earlier by ABC News.

In a statement, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security said the agency "regularly shares relevant information with domestic and international partners, including those associated with international events such as the Sochi Olympics."

"We are not aware of a specific threat to the homeland at this time," the DHS said in the statement. "This routine communication is an important part of our commitment to making sure we meet that priority."

Delta Air Lines Inc. is alone among the major U.S. carriers in serving Russia, with one daily Moscow flight from Kennedy Airport.

Spokesmen for Delta, American Airlines and United Airlines, as is customary in the industry, declined to discuss security issues.

The Transportation Security Administration, part of Home Security, has for many years restricted the size of carry-on containers of gels and liquids, including toothpaste tubes, to no more than 3.4 ounces.

The limit doesn't apply to items in checked bags, which are scanned by explosives detection machines.