A suspected illegal immigrant was arrested in South Carolina after a fake bomb threat during a traffic stop caused a major shutdown of Interstate 85, disrupting traffic for nearly five hours.
Ahmad Jamal Khamees Alhendi, 28, was stopped on Thursday at around 2:45 p.m. by South Carolina transport police for driving a tractor-trailer without a license plate. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety (SCDPS), Alhendi told the officer that there was an explosive device inside the vehicle.
This prompted an immediate response from the Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED), and the FBI, leading to the closure of all six lanes of I-85 near Mile Marker 44. The shutdown caused bumper-to-bumper traffic until the area was cleared and reopened at 7:40 p.m.
Alhendi was charged with conveying false information about a bomb threat, breach of peace of a high and aggravated nature, and not having a vehicle license. He was issued a total surety bond of $20,238 and is currently in the Greenville County Detention Center.
The detention center confirmed that Alhendi is under an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detainer, indicating he is a potential illegal immigrant subject to removal.
Alhendi works for Globe Transportation, an Illinois-based company. While the company confirmed his employment, they declined to comment further.
This case underscores concerns about border security and immigration enforcement, as individuals without proper documentation continue to pose potential safety risks. The investigation is ongoing.
