LOS ANGELES, April 3: An Indian who was carrying seven knives and two pairs of scissors in his baggage was taken into custody at the New Orleans airport in the US on Monday.

The discovery of the weapons prompted the evacuation of the concourse and about 1,000 passengers on Sunday at Louis Armstrong International Airport.

Albert Silvarian, 42, a seaman, was on his way to India. He did not enter a plea during an initial court appearance on Monday. Silvarian allegedly passed through the checkpoint as screeners failed to find the knives in his briefcase. At the gate, he was picked for a random search, when five knives and two sets of scissors were found.

Two more knives were later found in his bag.

He was allowed to board the plane, but was detained just minutes before the take-off.—Correspondent