The reports on what happened and what was seized conflict wildly, one version I read said the seized materials included parts for a military jet. The only thing they agree on is that it was material being sent to Venesula, not coming out.

Most of the versions go something like this. The US declared they where bringing in 4 diplomatic bags. When the Venezuelan soldiers checked the group, they had way more then 4 diplomatic bags, and everything after 4 was seized and searched.

Not knowing the exact law on such things, it sounds like pedantic rule enforcement to me. But given the tension between Venezuela and the US, it doesn't surprise me they would look at it that way. It may also be the case that the Venezuela government knew there was something going on and where looking for an excuse to intercept it.

Jay