Cessnock Police Station was evacuated on Tuesday evening after a suitcase containing an Australian Federal Police (AFP) training device with 230 grams of plastic explosives was handed in.
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The device, which was not live, had been left in an unclaimed suitcase during an AFP routine canine exercise.
A woman travelling through Sydney Airport on Tuesday was offered the suitcase as a replacement after her own bag was damaged during her flight.
After discovering the device she immediately took it to Cessnock Police Station, where officers temporarily evacuated the building as a safety precaution.
AFP Sydney Airport Commander Wayne Buchhorn has apologised to the travelling public and all those involved.
“The AFP takes this error seriously and the canine instructor who inadvertently left this device behind has been identified and will be the subject of a formal Professional Standards Investigation,” Commander Buchhorn said.
“Although the travelling public was not in danger at any time, we regularly review our processes in this area, and we will do again in the light of this incident.
“This type of training is essential for our canine teams, allowing the dogs to experience potential threats in a real environment.
“On behalf of the AFP, I would like to thank the woman, her family and New South Wales Police, especially officers at Cessnock Police Station, for their assistance in this matter.”
AFP canines are trained to detect currency, drug and explosive odours.
