Santa Monica Cop Who Took Gun Passed LAX Security Back On Job

SANTA MONICA, CA -- A Santa Monica police officer was back on the job this week after being detained last week in Taiwan for carrying a personal handgun in her carry-on bag.

Officer Noell Grant entered Taiwan April 13 and was barred from leaving the country after the handgun was discovered in her possession, according to Nico Melendez of the Transportation Security Administration.

Grant had been en route to Thailand for a vacation and boarded a flight at Los Angeles International Airport, officials said.

She was detained when she made a layover stop in Taiwan, according to Santa Monica police Lt. Saul Rodriguez.

Grant returned to the U.S. on Friday, her traveling partner, Los Angeles Airport Police Lt. Marlo Richardson told the Daily News.

Grant will be subject to a Santa Monica Police Department administrative review that could result in disciplinary action, Rodriguez said.

"We are definitely going to review the entire incident," he said, adding that for now, "we are just glad she made it back here safely."

Federal authorities have acknowledged that security procedures at LAX were not followed when Grant boarded her flight.

Grant was not arrested, but was not allowed to leave Taiwan while officials there investigated the matter.

-- City News Service, photo via Shutterstock